This is the astonishing second one in all Putin‘s most fashionable warships was ‘hit and sunk’ by a devastating Ukrainian drone strike in a single day.
The $65mn Sergey Kotov, which solely got here into service in 2022, was reportedly struck by an exploding kamikaze sea drone assault close to Feodosia, in occupied Crimea.
Footage purports to point out the second of the key explosion in darkness near the coast.
The vessel usually has a crew of 80 – and the destiny of these on board stays unclear.
Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of workers, mentioned on Telegram on Tuesday that ‘The Russian Black Sea Fleet is an emblem of occupation. It can’t be within the Ukrainian Crimea,’ in an obvious reference to the assault.
It got here because the £3mn Crimean Bridge – the primary connecting hyperlink between Russia and the annexed territory – additionally fell beneath sustained assault, inflicting no less than 9 hours of visitors disruption.
Footage purports to point out the ship beneath hearth in Crimea, the newest blow to the Russian fleet
Image reveals the Sergey Kotov patrol ship, a 308-ft warship that entered service in 2022
File photograph of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His £65mn warship was reportedly hit in Crimea
Ukrainska Pravda, a significant Ukrainian media outlet, reported on Tuesday {that a} Russian Project 22160 patrol ship Sergei Kotov had been hit with watergoing uncrewed craft in a single day.
A Ukrainian intelligence supply mentioned the 308-ft patrol vessel was ‘hit’ and ‘sustained injury’ with out offering additional particulars.
The Ukrainian navy mentioned final month it had destroyed a Russian touchdown warship close to Crimea in an operation with naval drones that breached the vessel’s port aspect and prompted it to sink.
It got here because the Crimean Bridge, the primary transport connection to Russia, additionally sustained injury in a single day.
The £3 billion crossing was closed to visitors for no less than 9 hours however Russian sources denied the construction was broken.
At least 5 ‘highly effective explosions’ had been heard in Kerch, on the Crimean finish of the 12-miles highway and rail crossing.
Nine trains had been blocked – 4 from Crimea and 5 to the peninsula, reported RIA Novosti state information outlet.
While there was no official affirmation from the Russian aspect on the Sergey Kotov, pro-war shops on Putin’s aspect admitted lack of the vessel.
‘As a results of an assault by unmanned boats of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Black Sea Fleet patrol ship of challenge 22160 Sergey Kotov was misplaced,’ reported Russian Telegram channel Military informant.
‘The crew is alive.’