Ukraine says it destroyed Russian landing ship in Black Sea

"The Ukrainian Armed Forces, together with the Defense Ministry 's intelligence unit, destroyed the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov" located in the Black Sea resort town of Alupka on the southern edge of the Crimean peninsula, the Ukrainian military intelligence and armed forces said.

Large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov of the Russian Navy. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine's GUR military intelligence service said the warship appeared to be loaded when it sank and had been at a loading site used by the Russian military for about 10 days before the attack.

The statement released grainy footage on Telegram that allegedly showed several naval drones approaching a large ship at night and at least one large explosion.

Footage also showed the ship listing sharply to one side. “In short, the Tsezar Kunikov suffered a serious hole in its port side and began to sink,” GUR said in a statement.

A Ukrainian news agency has released several videos showing a column of smoke rising into the sea off the southern coast of Crimea with helicopters flying overhead.

In its statement, GUR said the warship Tsezar Kunikov, one of Russia's newest ships, has a crew of 87 and has participated in wars in Georgia, Syria and Ukraine.

Ukraine recently used explosive-laden naval drones to attack Russian warships in the Black Sea, aiming to open a shipping corridor along a traditional export route.

Ukraine no longer has any major naval vessels and has been actively scuttling its flagship since the start of the conflict to prevent it from falling into Russian hands.

Ukraine Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk said Russia has five large landing ships in the Black Sea. Last month, Ukrainian cruise missiles struck another large Russian landing ship in Crimea.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ukraine-noi-pha-huy-mot-tau-do-bo-cua-nga-o-bien-den-post284522.html