Ukraine’s military intelligence claims to have sunk a Russian warship off the coast of Crimea using sea drones, marking the latest in a string of attacks on Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
The targeted vessel, Caesar Kunikov, was reportedly struck with “MAGURA” V5 drones, causing critical damage to its left side before it sank. The operation was carried out by Ukraine’s “Group 13” special forces unit in collaboration with security and defense forces.
Although Ukraine provided nighttime footage showing a sea drone approaching the Caesar Kunikov and the subsequent plume of smoke, CNN could not independently verify these claims. The Kremlin refrained from commenting on the reported attack, deferring inquiries to the Ministry of Defense.
This assault adds to a series of strikes by Ukraine on Russia’s navy, aiming to land strategic and symbolic blows against the forces that annexed Crimea in 2014.
With the conflict entering its second anniversary, Ukraine has shifted focus to the Black Sea, intending to isolate the peninsula and disrupt Russian military operations on the mainland.
Recent attacks include the sinking of the Ivanovets, a guided missile ship, and the notable strike on the Moskva in April 2022. Ukraine’s sea drone unit, operating near Odesa, disclosed details of the Ivanovets attack, revealing the use of 10 “MAGURA” drones, six of which successfully targeted and sunk the warship.
These drones, powered by jet skis and equipped with a range of 800 kilometers, offer Ukraine a strategic advantage in targeting Crimean assets.
Former Ukrainian top general Valerii Zaluzhnyi emphasized the significance of drones in avoiding positional warfare, a sentiment echoed by one of Ukraine’s drone pilots, who highlighted their maneuverability and difficulty in detection by enemy vessels.
Ukraine’s adoption of drones underscores its commitment to leveling the playing field against Russian forces, posing a formidable challenge in maritime conflicts in the Black Sea region.
