Ukraine has escalated its offensive against Russia’s naval presence in the Black Sea by targeting four military vessels stationed in occupied Crimea.
Among the ships struck is the Konstantin Olshansky, a landing ship originally belonging to Ukraine but seized by Russia during the annexation of Crimea in early 2014.
The warship is estimated to cost around $169 million.
A Ukrainian-made Neptune cruise missile was used for this attack, as per Ukrainian navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk.
In addition to the Konstantin Olshansky, Pletenchuk disclosed that three more Russian ships, including the Azov and Yamal landing ships and the Ivan Khurs reconnaissance ship, sustained damage in the attack.
Satellite imagery has corroborated the damage to at least the Ivan Khurs, while the condition of the other vessels remains under assessment.
The successful targeting of these ships marks a significant blow to the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, which has seen over a third of its forces compromised since the full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022.
Despite Russia’s advances on the mainland front, Ukraine’s capability to conduct long-range strikes has been a consistent source of success, highlighted by the sinking of the Moskva guided missile cruiser in April 2022.
The attack on the Konstantin Olshansky carries particular symbolic weight, as it rectifies, in part, the losses endured by the Ukrainian navy following Crimea’s annexation.
The ship, while not in active service at the time of the strike, was being prepared for dismantlement to support the refurbishment of other vessels within the Russian fleet.
No official response has been issued by Russia’s Ministry of Defense regarding the strikes.
However, Sevastopol’s governor acknowledged a significant assault on the region without detailing the specific losses.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to defend against aerial threats, successfully neutralizing 12 drones launched from Crimea.
These defensive actions come amid Ukraine’s intensified drone campaign targeting Russian economic assets, contributing to rising inflation and fuel price pressures within Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has made strategic changes to the country’s security leadership, appointing Oleksandr Lytvynenko as the new head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council.
This reshuffle follows the recent reassignment of Ukraine’s military general, Valery Zaluzhny, emphasizing ongoing adjustments within Ukraine’s top military and security ranks amidst the ongoing conflict.
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