Ukraine targeted two Russian Ropucha-class landing ships, “Yamal” and “Azov,” in occupied Crimea on March 23. The Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed the strike on March 24. The assault also damaged Black Sea Fleet infrastructure in Crimea and a Russian military communication center, as per Ukrainian military sources. In recent times, Ukraine has escalated its attacks on occupied Crimea, focusing on Russian military assets in the Black Sea region. Crimea has been under illegal Russian occupation since 2014.
“Yamal,” with 98 crew members, and “Azov,” with 87 crew members, belong to the 197th Landing Ships Brigade of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and are actively used in the fleet’s exercises and training, according to the fleet’s website.
The extent of the damage to the ships remains unclear.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet responded to Ukraine’s reports of the strike’s success.
The destruction of these ships marks a continuation of Ukraine’s assertive military actions aimed at disrupting Russia’s logistical and operational foothold in the Black Sea. In recent months, Ukraine has launched several daring attacks, including the use of naval drones, to challenge Russia’s dominance in the maritime arena and erode its ability to sustain military operations in the region.
The repercussions of these strikes are emblematic of the changing tide in the Black Sea, where Ukraine is gradually pushing back against Russian naval forces. Despite Russia’s initial control of the waters, the innovative use of technology, such as unmanned sea drones operated by a specialist unit called Group 13, has enabled Ukraine to score victories that were previously unattainable. The “Yamal” and “Azov” strikes follow Ukraine’s reported sinking of the Russian landing ship “Caesar Kunikov” with the help of naval drones near Alupka, illustrating Ukraine’s growing prowess in asymmetric maritime warfare.
Mikhail Razvozhaev, the leader of Sevastopol’s illicit Russian occupation administration, described the assault as “the most extensive” in recent memory, stating that one individual died and four were wounded.
The recent attacks stand in stark contrast to Russia’s major overnight strike that targeted a number of energy facilities in western Ukraine. These contrasting events underscore the shifting dynamics of the conflict, with both sides displaying the ability to inflict damage on critical infrastructure and war-fighting assets. Meanwhile, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with allies such as the United States approving significant military aid to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Notably, the strikes on Russian naval assets come amid broader operational challenges for Moscow’s Black Sea fleet. The fleet began the conflict with a substantial number of landing ships, but the persistent attacks by Ukrainian forces have depleted this number over time. The destruction of the “Yamal” and “Azov” further reduces the fleet’s capacity to operate effectively in the region.
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine confirms striking 2 large Russian landing ships in occupied Crimea
– Ukraine claims to have sunk Russian landing ship in drone attack, The Guardian, Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– Ukraine claims critical strike on Caesar Kunikov, Russian Black Sea warship, Al Jazeera English, Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– Ukraine Just Blew Up Two More Russian Landing Ships. It’s Too Late To Matter., Forbes, Sun, 24 Mar 2024 12:24:31 GMT