Ukraine Strikes Two Russian Landing Craft in Crimea Using Sea Drones
Ukraine strikes back: Sea drones from Ukraine successfully targeted and hit two Russian landing craft in Crimea, dealing a significant blow to the occupying forces
Ukraine asserted that it used sea drones to strike two Russian landing craft in occupied Crimea during a nighttime mission. This incident is part of a continuous escalation of attacks on the peninsula, which Russia unlawfully annexed in 2014. "Near Chernomorske, Crimea, Ukrainian sea drones successfully targeted two Russian assault boats," stated Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR), in a conversation with CNN.
GUR released a video displaying what it alleges to be the instance of the strikes. CNN is unable to confirm the authenticity of the video, including the date and location.
The video seemingly exhibits two marine drones approaching what appear to be landing craft at a dock. The second drone seems to record the first one as it strikes the landing craft. Additionally, the video depicts what seems to be substantial equipment on board the second drone as it approaches its target.
"The boats were crewed and loaded with armored vehicles," GUR claimed in the post on Telegram.
Russia has not officially commented on the incident.
Kyiv has intensified its attacks on occupied Crimea in recent months in an effort to weaken Russian forces. In September, the Ukrainian military launched a powerful attack on a Russian naval base in Sevastopol, marking its most devastating strike on the port since the Kremlin's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
According to Russian military blogger Rybar, the latest assault involved a well-coordinated aerial diversion that facilitated the Ukrainian sea drones' ability to strike.
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Rybar reported that the base of the Black Sea Fleet and the Federal Security Service in Chernomorske were targeted by the enemy. An attempted strike on the barracks using a Neptune anti-ship missile was unsuccessful as the missile landed close by. Additionally, four unmanned boats entered Uzkaya Bay with the intention of targeting the Black Sea Fleet boats stationed there.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, three Ukrainian drones were intercepted over Crimea during the early hours of Friday. Thankfully, no casualties were reported.
GUR alleges that Russia utilized comparable landing craft, like the ones destroyed on Thursday, during its occupation of Zmiinyi Island. This uninhabited outpost is located in the Black Sea between Ukraine and occupied Crimea, and marks the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Given the increased attacks by Ukraine in the Black Sea, GUR states that Russian naval air defense capabilities have been weakened, prompting the use of these landing craft as an alternative platform for air defense systems.
GUR stated that these boats, equipped with air defense systems, provided protection to the invading ships of the Black Sea Fleet, as there was a lack of shipboard air defense systems. According to a Ukrainian source familiar with the strategy, the strikes on Crimea by Kyiv are aimed at isolating the peninsula and hindering Russia's military assault on the Ukrainian mainland, as previously reported by CNN.
After the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July, which prevented crucial grain exports and posed a threat to global food security, the Ukrainian military shifted its focus towards targeting Crimea again. This decision was made in response to Moscow's resumption of its siege on Ukrainian ports. Reporting by CNN's Christian Edwards.
