Russia has confirmed that a Ukrainian attack has caused damage to a warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia, a development labeled by Ukraine and its Western allies as a significant setback for the Russian navy.
Earlier, Ukraine’s air force reported that the Novocherkassk landing ship had been “destroyed.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added a touch of humor to the situation on social media, joking that the vessel had now become a part of “the Russian underwater Black Sea fleet.” This incident marks a notable event in the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia in the region.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has provided President Vladimir Putin with a comprehensive report detailing the damage sustained by the large landing ship, Novocherkassk. The vessel, capable of transporting soldiers, tanks, and armored vehicles, was targeted at a base in the southern coast of Russian-occupied Crimea, according to Ukraine. Russia has confirmed
Kyiv alleges that the attack on Novocherkassk was prompted by suspicions that the ship was transporting Iranian-made explosive drones. These drones have been regularly utilized by Russia in its attacks on Ukraine since the commencement of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The incident adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
One person was killed and four were injured in the attack, the Moscow-installed governor of Crimea, Sergey Aksyonov, said, adding that six buildings had been damaged and their residents evacuated.
Aksyonov said the strike triggered a fire that had been brought under control.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 in a move Ukraine and the West condemned as illegal, and has not been internationally recognised.
Feodosia, which has a population of about 69,000 people.