Ukraine Claims to Have Destroyed Russian Landing Craft in Crimea Using Explosive-Laden USVs
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) has reported that two Russian landing craft were sunk at a Russian Navy base in Chornomorske, Crimea. According to GUR, the attack was carried out using uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) loaded with explosives. Satellite imagery released by GUR is said to show the sunken vessels.
According to the GUR, the ships were carrying a crew and loaded armored vehicles, including BTR-82. The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) has not yet commented on the incident. The video released by the GUR shows the USVs hitting the Russian vessels, causing explosions. However, the claims made by GUR have not been independently verified.
The attack targets two landing craft, one identified as a Project 11770 class Serna and the other as a Project 1176 class Akula (NATO designation Ondatra). The Ukrainian Militarnyi website and several naval observers have reported that the vessel hit in the video was the Project 1176 class Akula.
The loss of these ships has been described as a significant blow to the Black Sea Fleet and Russian forces as they carried troops, equipment, and air defense systems. The vessels attacked were located at a small Black Sea Fleet base in Chornomorske, Crimea.
GUR spokesperson, Andrii Yusov, stated, “The Russians placed Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile complexes on board the boats for mobile cover of their group on the island.” He added, “Now this idea of the Russians has been destroyed!”
The attack on the Russian landing craft using USVs is the latest in a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships and infrastructure in Crimea and the Black Sea. The frequent use of USVs by Ukraine has proven to be a relatively inexpensive way of attacking ships and is expected to continue as part of Ukraine’s goal to liberate Crimea.
