Ukraine’s Air Force Claims Destruction Of Russian Ship In Crimea   

The Ukrainian air force on Tuesday reported it destroyed a Russian fleet ship stationed off the Crimean peninsula. The Novocherkassk, a large landing ship suspected of carrying Iranian Shahed drones, became the latest target in the ongoing conflict.

A statement posted on Telegram detailed the attack: “Tactical aviation of the Air Force attacked with cruise missiles the Novocherkassk large landing ship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation in the area of Feodosia.” Feodosia houses a significant Russian naval base on the occupied peninsula.

While earlier messages declared the ship “destroyed,” the video evidence presented by air force commandant Mykola Olechtchouk only depicted a fiery explosion within the naval base.

Sergey Aksyonov, the Kremlin-appointed head of Crimea, confirmed the attack near Feodosia, stating that the port area has been cordoned off and emergency services are present. He assured residents that the detonation has ceased and the fire is contained, necessitating the evacuation of nearby houses.

Ukrainian forces have targeted Crimea throughout the war, particularly focusing on Russian military assets.

The most notable attack was the sinking of the cruiser Moskva, the flagship of the Black Sea fleet, in April 2022.