Russia has confirmed that one of its warships, the Novocherkassk, sustained damage in an airstrike during an attack on the Black Sea port of Feodosiya in Russian-occupied Crimea. The Ukrainian aircraft, reportedly carrying guided missiles, targeted the large landing ship in an early morning attack on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Defence in Russia acknowledged the strike, attributing the damage to Ukrainian forces. One fatality has been reported by Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea, with several others injured. Six buildings were damaged in the attack, and a small number of individuals had to be relocated to temporary accommodation centers. The port’s transport operations are reportedly functioning normally following the incident, with a contained fire caused by the airstrike.
Ukrainian air force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk shared footage allegedly depicting a significant explosion in the port, although the images have not been independently verified. Satellite imagery from December 24 shows a ship at the Feodosiya port matching the length of the Novocherkassk, a landing ship designed for transporting troops, weapons, and cargo to shore.
The damage to the warship marks a notable development for Ukraine, potentially impacting Russia’s ability to supply troops in the occupied territory. The Novocherkassk, likely loaded with soldiers, equipment, or both while in dock, is expected to face at least temporary disruption.
The incident follows recent denials by Ukraine’s air force regarding claims of Russia downing two of its Su-24 bombers and seizing the key town of Mariinka in eastern Ukraine, made by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Novocherkassk had previously been targeted in a March 2022 attack on the port of Berdyansk, according to Ukraine’s defence ministry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to the country’s air force, joking about the “impressive replenishment” of the Russian Black Sea fleet. He emphasized that occupiers would find no peaceful place in Ukraine. Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, and its forces in the region have faced repeated attacks by Ukrainian forces. Despite these attacks, Moscow has maintained control over the occupied territory amid a broader Ukrainian counteroffensive. Source – BBC
