In a decisive move on Tuesday, Ukraine reported a successful strike on a prominent Russian landing ship stationed in a Crimean port, posing a potential setback to Russia’s beleaguered Black Sea Fleet.
While Russian authorities acknowledged the assault, they downplayed the extent of the damage, mentioning only partial harm to the vessel and adjacent structures. As per The Washington Post, an independent assessment of the damage remains pending.
Detailing the operation, the Ukrainian air force revealed via its Telegram channel that the attack on Feodosia port occurred around 2:30 a.m. local time. Feodosia, situated in eastern Crimea, remains a focal point of tension since Russia’s annexation in 2014. Notably, corroborative footage capturing a fiery explosion aligning with the reported strike time was authenticated by social media intelligence entity Storyful.
This recent offensive adds to Ukraine’s strategic airstrikes targeting Russian naval assets in Crimea and the broader Black Sea, aiming to disrupt Russia’s regional military movements. Noteworthy triumphs in this campaign include the sinking of Russia’s flagship, the Moskva missile cruiser, in April 2022, uplifting Ukrainian morale during a critical phase.
The latest attack follows prior strikes by Ukraine in key locations such as Sevastopol’s shipyard and Russia’s naval headquarters, along with damages inflicted on other vessels like the Novocherkassk, a crucial landing ship with a capacity for 10 tanks and 340 personnel. Interestingly, Ukraine had previously reported impairing the Novocherkassk in a May offensive.
Responding to the Ukrainian offensive, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have downed two Ukrainian SU-24 jets targeting the port. However, a Ukrainian air force spokesperson refuted this assertion during a Radio Liberty interview, highlighting a pattern where Russia prematurely declares such downings.
Throughout the conflict, Ukraine’s predominantly Soviet-era air force has faced challenges, prompting NATO allies like the Netherlands and Denmark to pledge U.S.-manufactured F-16 jets. Nevertheless, the integration of these advanced aircraft awaits completion as Ukrainian pilots undergo rigorous training protocols.
