On Tuesday, Ukraine announced it successfully sank a Russian warship in the Black Sea using sea drones, As reported by AP.
Russian officials have yet to confirm this event.
The Ukrainian military intelligence detailed that their special operations unit targeted the Sergey Kotov, a sizable patrol vessel, with Ukraine-made Magura V5 drones packed with explosives. This ship, said to be near the Kerch Strait, is equipped to carry cruise missiles and approximately 60 crew members.
However, verifying Ukraine's assertion is challenging, especially with misinformation prevalent since Russia's comprehensive invasion began in February 2022.
Strategic Impact in the Black Sea
Despite facing a well-equipped Russian military, Ukrainian forces have managed to push the Russian navy further from the shoreline, aiding in the establishment of a grain export path through the Black Sea.
Footage purportedly capturing the night assault on the Sergey Kotov was shared by the Ukraine defense ministry on X, previously known as Twitter.
Security company Ambrey reported that this attack occurred in Crimea's Feodosia port, showing the Sergey Kotov engaging with incoming drones before enduring a massive explosion from a direct hit.
Previous Successful Drone Attacks
This incident follows Ukraine's claims of sinking two Russian warships with drones in the previous month, marking an ongoing strategy to disrupt Russian naval capabilities in the Black Sea. These actions not only challenge Russian military presence but also serve as a counter to Russian missile launches from the region.
The sinking of the Moskva, the flagship of Russia's Black Sea fleet, nearly a year ago remains a significant victory for Ukraine.
