Ukrainian forces have allegedly launched a successful attack on a Russian naval vessel in the Black Sea. Intelligence officials in Kyiv claim sea drones struck the patrol ship Sergei Kotov in the early hours of Tuesday.
Damage is said to have occurred to the stern and sides of the vessel. While Moscow is yet to comment, some Russian bloggers have acknowledged the sinking.
However, independent verification of details remains elusive. As per Ukrainian sources, sailors were wounded or killed in the engagement.
The Sergei Kotov was one of four Project 22160 patrol ships and had weathered an earlier strike in September. It also reportedly participated in the Snake Island assault on February 24th alongside the sunken Moskva cruiser.
With Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea nearly a decade ago, Ukraine has increasingly targeted the Black Sea fleet stationed there. Official estimates value the Sergei Kotov at $65 million. It is believed to have been engaged near the Kerch Strait separating Crimea from the Russian mainland.
Footage released by Ukrainian military intelligence shows a vessel matching the class under attack. However, identification is limited as the number plate is unclear. The analysis found no duplicate videos, suggesting recent origin.
Since February, over a dozen Russian naval assets have allegedly been damaged or destroyed, according to defense analysts, including last month’s drone sinking of the Caesar Kunikov off Yalta. As the dynamics in the Black Sea evolve rapidly, further impact on Russian maritime capabilities could be expected.
