The Ukrainian Armed Forces have struck a significant blow to the Russian Black Sea Fleet by hitting the large Russian landing ship Tsezar Kunikov with sea drones, Ukrainian military sources reported. The operation, which occurred near Alupka in Ukrainian territorial waters, resulted in “critical holes in its port side,” leading to the sinking of the vessel, according to Ukraine’s intelligence directorate.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of ongoing hostilities and a largely static land front along Putin’s war, which, as it enters its third year, has seen limited territorial gains by Russian forces. However, the Black Sea Fleet, once a symbol of Russian naval might in the region, has been systematically targeted by Ukrainian forces. The attacks have been a part of a broader strategy to diminish Russia’s naval presence and secure maritime trade routes crucial for Ukraine’s economy, particularly its agricultural exports.
The Tsezar Kunikov, a 112-metre Ropucha-class landing ship with an estimated crew of 50, has a significant history of engagement in regional conflicts, having previously been involved in Russian military operations in Georgia in 2008. “The Ukrainian Armed Forces, together with the Defence Ministry’s intelligence unit, destroyed the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov. It was in Ukrainian territorial waters near Alupka at the time of the hit,” the military said on the Telegram messaging app.
Visual evidence of the attack emerged as videos circulated by the Ukrainska Pravda media outlet and corroborated by Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko depicted a column of smoke over the sea off Crimea’s southern coast, with helicopters seen patrolling the area. Despite the visuals, independent verification of the footage or account was not available at the time of reporting.
The strike against the Tsezar Kunikov follows a series of incidents where Ukrainian forces have utilized drones to engage Russian naval assets. In December, Ukrainian cruise missiles targeted a large Russian landing warship in Crimea, resulting in casualties. Earlier this month, reports indicated that a Russian corvette was also attacked in the Black Sea.
The Black Sea Fleet has retreated eastward, away from Crimea and closer to Russia, in response to Ukrainian offensives. The fleet’s previous flagship, the Moskva, was famously sunk in the spring of 2022, a symbolic and operational setback for Russian naval power. Additionally, the reach of the Russian air force has been reportedly diminished by Ukrainian attacks on airfields and the recent downing of a surveillance aircraft.
The destruction of the Tsezar Kunikov is a strategic victory for Ukraine, highlighting the increasing efficacy of its sea drones in maritime warfare. The incident may also signal a new phase in the naval dimensions of the conflict, where Ukraine, despite lacking a conventional naval force, is leveraging asymmetric capabilities to challenge Russia’s maritime dominance in the Black Sea.
The ongoing conflict and the targeting of the Russian naval fleet have garnered global attention, with international bodies and leaders underscoring the significance of supporting Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that aid to Ukraine is an investment in collective security, not charity, while calls for continued and increased support from allies such as the United States remain strong.
The impact of the strike on the Tsezar Kunikov extends beyond the immediate loss of a naval asset for Russia. It demonstrates Ukraine’s determination and capability to disrupt Russian operations in the Black Sea and underscores the shifting dynamics of a conflict that continues to evolve in both strategy and technology.
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