Russia has admitted that a Ukrainian attack damaged a warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia, which Ukraine and its Western allies have described as a major setback for the Russian navy.
Ukraine’s air force earlier said it had “destroyed” the landing ship Novocherkassk, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joking on social media that the vessel had now joined “Russia’s underwater Black Sea fleet”.
The Novocherkassk is a large amphibious assault ship that can be used to transport troops as well as tanks and armored vehicles, and Ukraine said it attacked the vessel at a base on the southern coast of Russian-occupied Crimea. Kiev said it suspected the ship was carrying Iranian explosive drones, which Russia has regularly used to attack Ukraine since a full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
One person was killed and four were injured in the attack, Moscow-appointed Governor of Crimea Sergei Aksyonov said, adding that six buildings were damaged and their residents evacuated.
Aksyonov said the blow caused a fire that was brought under control.
Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 in a move condemned by Ukraine and the West as illegal and not recognized internationally.
Feodosia, which has a population of about 69,000 people.
Ukraine’s range is “increasing”
Ukrainian officials celebrated the attack, which came amid heavy fighting on the frontline in the country’s east.
Ukrainian commander Mykola Oleshchuk shared a video of the explosion at the Feodosia naval base and wrote: “The fleet in Russia is getting smaller and smaller! Kudos to the Air Force pilots and all involved for the fine craftsmanship!’
In Telegram, Zelenskyy wrote: “I am grateful to our Air Force for the impressive addition of another vessel to the Russian submarine fleet in the Black Sea. The occupiers will not have a single peaceful place in Ukraine.”
The Black Sea, which Ukraine needs to export grain, has been a key battleground in the ongoing war.
Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is based in the port of Sevastopol and has been used by Moscow to launch missiles at Ukrainian cities and blockade the Ukrainian coast.
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Crimea and helped it regain limited control of the Black Sea, occasionally pushing Russian warships further east.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, said he thought it would be difficult for Novocherkassk to re-enter service.
“We can see how strong the explosion was, what the detonation was. After that, it is very difficult for the ship to survive because this was not a missile, this is a detonation of ammunition,” he told Radio Free Europe.
Claims and Counterclaims
Ukraine and Russia often exaggerate the losses they say they have inflicted on each other since Russia launched its all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moscow has claimed in recent days that it has taken control of the eastern town of Maryinka, which Kiev has denied.
Ukraine and Russia also claimed success in downing their warplanes, with both sides denying any losses.
Moscow said a “munitions detonation” started a fire and forced the crew to evacuate, and the ship sank while being towed into port.
Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, said on Telegram that it was clear that Russia would not release details of the attack in wartime, but that it must do more to protect its assets in Crimea.
“It is clear that the air defense systems of Crimea must be strengthened. And it is clear that [Ukraine] must be deprived of the possibility to intervene in Russia,” said Markov.
