Ukraine Destroys Russian Ship in Black Sea Fleet-Video.
Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian vessel, part of its Black Sea Fleet, Kyiv said.
A video published by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense shows the moment the vessel was struck while moving along the western coast of the Kherson region.
The loss claimed by Kyiv marks the latest blow served to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which has been targeted throughout President Vladimir Putin‘s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Successful Ukrainian drone and cruise missile strikes on the vessels have resulted in Russia relocating some of its prized Black Sea Fleet from its port in annexed Crimea to avoid further losses.
The vessel was transporting landing troops when it was struck by Ukrainian forces.
“Another russian Black Sea Fleet boat with enemy troops onboard – destroyed while moving along the western coast of Kherson region,” Ukraine’s defense ministry announced on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday.
The Defense Ministry shared a video of the attack, which was filmed by the Ukrainian Navy.
The 25-second aerial clip, shot at night, purportedly shows the moment the Black Sea Fleet vessel was struck, causing a huge blaze to erupt on board. Smoke can be seen billowing from the boat immediately after the strike.
The Ukrainian Navy also said on X: “Naval forces destroyed 20 ‘Shaheds’ and 1 Russian Black Sea Fleet boat Last night, using the forces and means of the Ukrainian Navy, 20 enemy kamikaze drones ‘SHAHED-136’ were shot down and 1 Russian Black Sea Fleet boat was destroyed.”
According to Euromaidan Press, an independent English-language news website launched in 2014 by volunteers from Ukraine, the latest destroyed vessel marks the 28th Russian ship or boat taken out by Ukraine since the start of Putin’s full-scale invasion, including Russia’s flagship cruiser Moskva.
The Moskva missile cruiser, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet, was destroyed by Ukraine in the early days of the war, dealing an embarrassing blow to Putin.
Russia is now racing to build a vessel that dwarfs the Moskva, according to Ukrainian military publication Defense Express, which published satellite images in April showing the progress Russia is making on one of its two Project 23900 Ivan Rogov-class amphibious assault ships. These vessels are reportedly capable of carrying up to 90 pieces of military equipment, including 15 helicopters.
The Ivan Rogov-class vessel currently under construction is reportedly much larger, suggesting that Moscow aims to restore its naval credibility amid a string of losses suffered by the Black Sea Fleet during the war.
The U.K. Ministry of Defence said in February that Ukraine had “significantly degraded” the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Ukrainian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa said of the hit: “Thanks to our naval forces for a job well done. Together to victory!”
The U.K. Ministry of Defence said in February: “Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s leadership almost certainly perceived the Russian Federation Navy and the Black Sea Fleet as integral components of their maritime power. After three years of war, Russia’s naval capabilities in the Black Sea have been significantly constrained through highly effective Ukrainian operations.
“Since 24 February 2022, Ukrainian forces have destroyed or damaged at least 24 Russian vessels operating in the Black Sea. This includes the sinking of the Black Sea Fleet flagship, Slava-Class cruiser ‘MOSKVA‘, which had previously been described as a cutting-edge air defence platform.”
The U.K. Ministry of Defence has warned that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, despite being limited at present to the Eastern Black Sea, “retains the ability to conduct long-range strikes into Ukraine in support of land operations.”
Moscow and Kyiv will continue to trade blows with few signs of a peace deal in the near future.