Ukraine ‘sinks one other Putin warship off Crimea’
- Several Ukrainian sources reported the stricken ship was the Caesar Kunikov
Russia was compelled to stage a serious sea rescue operation after the sinking of one other of Vladimir Putin‘s warships off the southern coast of annexed Crimea.
Footage confirmed the ship ablaze as rescue vessels – together with a surfaced submarine – descended on the scene simply off the coast of resort metropolis Alupka.
Moments later the warship suffered an enormous explosion, considered the detonation of the stricken warship’s ammunition.
The GUR Ukrainian army intelligence mentioned it had caught the ship with a number of marine drones, efficiently sinking the ship.
‘On February, 14, 2024, the Main Directorate of Intelligence in cooperation with the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine destroyed the massive [Russian] touchdown ship Caesar Kunikov.
‘The profitable mission was carried out by the particular forces of Group 13 of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate. The Caesar Kunikov obtained essential breaches on the left facet and started to sink.’
Russia’s defence ministry didn’t present any affirmation, however revered Russian milblogging channel Rybar later corroborated the Ukrainian claims.
Rybar went on to difficulty a scathing criticism of the Russian Black Sea Fleet following the profitable strike.
‘Two years have handed because the begin of the army operation. There will not be one of the best opinions concerning the command of the Black Sea Fleet amongst subordinate army personnel.
‘This might nonetheless be chalked as much as unusual grumbling, if not for the very fact of systematic fireplace destruction of Black Sea Fleet services by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the collective West.
‘At this level I simply need to say: ”It’s time to vary approaches”. Otherwise, what is the level?’
The GUR Ukrainian army intelligence mentioned it had caught the ship with a number of marine drones, efficiently sinking the ship
Russia’s defence ministry didn’t present any affirmation, however revered Russian milblogging channel Rybar later corroborated the Ukrainian claims
The ship might be seen itemizing within the sea with fireplace trailing from a gap in its hull
The warship suffered an enormous explosion, considered the detonation of the stricken warship’s ammunition
Caesar Kunikov massive touchdown ship, a part of Russian Black Sea Fleet
Two Russian Mi-8 helicopters had been seen flying to and from the scene of the strike on the touchdown ship at this time in an obvious determined rescue operation in a relaxed sea.
‘The Main Intelligence Directorate determined to congratulate the occupiers on Valentine’s Day in their very own method,’ reported Crimean Wind channel.
Another Ukrainian channel Pravda Gerashchenko mentioned: ‘A Russian warship was attacked and sank shortly after the explosions.’
Pro-Kremlin commentator Sergei Markov mentioned that the newest assault reveals Putin’s hopes of grabbing port Odesa – his huge prize within the Black Sea – are actually dashed.
‘Western specialists and Zelensky even declare that in 2023 the Ukrainian Armed Forces gained the massive battle for the Black Sea.
‘Well, that is not true as a result of the Ukrainian Armed Forces should not have their very own ships on the Black Sea.
‘But the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ naval drones actually create huge issues for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and the chance of a big touchdown operation of the Russian military in Odesa and Mykolaiv is now solely theoretical,’ he concluded.
The Caesar Kunikov is a kind of vessel utilized by Putin’s armed forces to move missiles and drones for assaults on Ukraine.
It is designed to assist amphibious operations, carrying heavy armour, autos and different cargo earlier than deploying them straight on the shoreline.
The ship sustained injury earlier within the warfare, and its then captain Alexander Chirva died from wounds in 2022.
An American Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk reconnaissance drone was additionally flying south of the incident doing repeated loops over the Black Sea, in keeping with flight monitoring portal Flightradar, probably offering intel for the Ukrainian forces.
It was between 62 and 75 miles south of the incident, earlier than apparently returning to its base in Malta.
Videos at this time confirmed a suspected Ukrainian strike at a Russian warship off the southern coast of annexed Crimea
The ship was seen ablaze as rescue vessels – together with a surfaced submarine – descended on the scene simply off the coast of resort metropolis Alupka
Captain Alexander Chirva, of Russian touchdown ship Caesar Kunikov, killed within the warfare in Ukraine.
Blurry movies confirmed an explosion on the ship
Caesar Kunikov massive touchdown ship, a part of Russian Black Sea Fleet
An armoured automobile disembarks from the Caesar Kunikov touchdown ship
Two Russian Mi-8 helicopters had been seen flying to and from the scene of the strike on the touchdown ship at this time in an obvious determined rescue operation in a relaxed sea.
The strike on the Caesar Kunikov comes simply two weeks after Ukraine destroyed the £55 million Black Sea missile ship Ivanovets.
The 184ft warship was hit by a number of drones off annexed Crimea.
The operation was spearheaded by Group 13 particular forces of the Ukrainian GUR army intelligence company.
The listing of sunk ships contains the Moskva cruiser, Putin’s Black Sea Fleet flagship, which was struck by Neptune missiles in April 2022.
Putin has nonetheless not given an correct toll for the losses on the sunken Moskva.
Several massive touchdown ships have been sunk, together with most lately the Novocherkassk, struck December 26, 2023.
At least 33 sailors are feared lifeless.
