The Protection Intelligence of Ukraine stated maritime drones operated by its Group 13 particular unit struck and sank the 1,300-ton Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov within the Black Sea, close to the Kerch Strait that separates occupied Crimea from the coast of southwest Russia.
“Because of the strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Challenge 22160 ‘Sergei Kotov’ sustained injury to the strict, starboard and port sides,” sparking a fireplace aboard the vessel, an announcement stated. The army later confirmed the ship had sunk.
The mission was carried out in cooperation with the Ukrainian Navy and with the help of Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation, it added.
Andriy Yusov, consultant of the Protection Intelligence of Ukraine, stated in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the Sergei Kotov had been focused and hit earlier than, however “this time the Sergei Kotov has been destroyed for positive.”
Seven Russian crew members had been killed and 6 had been wounded, the Protection Intelligence of Ukraine claimed on Telegram. It didn’t reveal how Ukraine had come by this data.
Ukraine’s maritime drones have taken a heavy toll on Russian naval ships, particularly prior to now few months, with its marketing campaign within the Black Sea a uncommon strategic success for Kyiv in comparison with current setbacks on the battlefield.
In mid-February, the Russian touchdown ship Caesar Kunikov was attacked with the identical drones used towards the Sergei Kotov. The drones punctured “crucial holes” on the Russian ship’s left aspect earlier than sinking it, Ukrainian army intelligence company stated on Telegram.
Earlier in February, Ukraine claimed its forces had disabled about 33% of Russia’s warships, amounting to 24 disabled ships and one submarine. Russia’s worst naval lack of the warfare was the sinking of the guided-missile cruiser Moskva in April 2022.
The Sergei Kotov was considered one of Russia latest ships within the Black Sea Fleet. A report from Russian state-run information company TASS on January 21, 2021, stated the ship was floated on that day and would quickly be part of the Black Sea Fleet.
The TASS report stated the 300-foot-long (91 meters) warship had a variety of 6,000 nauticial miles, might carry a crew of 80 and was geared up with a helicopter, a 57mm gun and a contemporary air protection system. Ukraine stated it had a price ticket of $65 million.
