In the latest escalation of the maritime conflict in the Black Sea, Ukraine asserts it has dealt another significant blow to Russia’s naval capabilities, claiming the destruction of the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov. Ukrainian military intelligence announced that the vessel was targeted and sunk by advanced “MAGURA” V5 sea drones off the coast of Crimea, marking a tactical victory that they say cripples a third of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
The Ukrainian armed forces told CNN, “Ukraine has disabled a third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet during the large-scale invasion.” This is in line with previous assertions by Ukraine, suggesting that they had incapacitated roughly 33% of Russia’s naval presence in the Black Sea, totaling 24 ships and one submarine prior to the recent strike. The Caesar Kunikov is said to be the 25th ship taken out of commission by Ukrainian forces.
The attack, executed by the “Group 13” special forces unit in conjunction with Ukraine’s security and defense forces, was documented with night-time footage illustrating a sea drone charging towards the Caesar Kunikov and concluding with a massive smoke plume emanating from the ship. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence claimed the ship was at berth for ten days at a specialized location suited for loading weapons and military equipment, and appeared loaded at the time of the assault.
“This has to do with the course of the special military operation, so it is the prerogative of the Ministry of Defense. I suggest you refer to the statements of our military colleagues. I can’t say anything about this,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a news briefing. In an attempt to assert strategic and symbolic dominance, these attacks are focused on the Crimean peninsula, which was annexed by Russian forces in 2014, and are designed to isolate the region and impede Russia’s military operations on the Ukrainian mainland.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, addressing the incident at a press conference in Brussels, lauded Ukraine’s accomplishments, “the Ukrainians have been able to inflict heavy losses on the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” celebrating it as a “great achievement, a great victory for Ukrainians.” Stoltenberg also highlighted the strategic significance of these strikes, as they have enabled Ukraine to export grain and other goods to the global market without any agreement with Russia, showcasing the prowess and effectiveness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The utilization of sea drones has proven to be a game-changer in Ukraine’s naval warfare strategy. As a pilot from Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency explained, “MAGURA” drones are compact, jet ski-powered devices, armed with at least 250kg (500lb) of explosives, and boast an impressive operational range of nearly 800 kilometers (almost 500 miles). This technology allows Ukraine to deploy drones from extensive stretches of its coastline to strike targets in Crimea.
These unmanned systems are prized for their stealth and agility, making them a challenge for Russia’s navy to detect and intercept. “No warship can be as maneuverable as these drones,” said one of Ukraine’s drone pilots, emphasizing the tactical advantage gained by the Ukrainian forces.
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