English Section

Ukraine says it damaged Russian patrol ship near Crimea

05.03.2024 10:30
Ukrainian sea drones have damaged a Russian patrol ship off the coast of the occupied Crimea peninsula, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Tuesday.
Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.
Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.Image: NASA Public Domain

It said its special unit Group 13 attacked and destroyed the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait, the Reuters news agency reported.

"As a result of a strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Project 22160 Sergey Kotov sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides," the intelligence agency said on the Telegram messaging app, as cited by Reuters.

The message added that the ship was worth about USD 65 million, Reuters reported.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Telegram that "the Russian Black Sea Fleet is a symbol of occupation," according to Reuters.

"It cannot be in the Ukrainian Crimea," he added.

The Ukrainian military said last month it had destroyed a Russian landing warship during a sea drone attack near Crimea.

Moscow annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Tuesday is day 741 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: Reuters, ukrinform.net, IAR, PAP