Ukraine claims it sank Russian ship in attack near Crimea

Ukraine used maritime drones to attack and disable a Russian warship in the Black Sea near the annexed Crimean peninsula

Ukraine claimed to have utilized maritime drones to attack and incapacitate a Russian warship in the Black Sea near the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula.

The Ukrainian military intelligence agency, GUR, released a video on Thursday purportedly showing a naval drone strike on the missile-armed corvette Ivanovets the previous night. The footage, of low quality and lasting approximately two-and-a-half minutes, depicted multiple explosions and the subsequent tilting and sinking of the vessel. According to the intelligence agency, the Russian ship sustained irreparable damage due to direct hits to its hull, rendering it inoperable. 

The GUR attributed the attack to its Group 13 unit and stated that it occurred while the Ivanovets was on patrol on Lake Donuzlav in western Crimea. Russia, whose Black Sea Fleet has previously been targeted by Ukraine, did not issue an official response. Disinformation has become prevalent in the conflict, making it difficult to independently verify the authenticity of the video or the claims made by both parties. 

According to the private security firm Ambrey, Ukraine employed up to six sea drones, each carrying approximately 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of explosives, in the assault. A Western official, speaking anonymously, supported the Ukrainian version of events, stating that it was highly probable that uncrewed surface vessels were responsible for the strike on the Ivanovets. 

The Ukrainian navy emphasized the significance of the Ivanovets’ loss, as Russia’s Black Sea Fleet only possesses three ships of the same class. Crimea has been increasingly targeted by Ukrainian drones and missiles, while Russia reported destroying 20 Ukrainian missiles over the area on Thursday. 

Source: Newsroom