In a significant blow to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Ukrainian Navy reported on May 19 the destruction of the Russian minesweeper Kovrovets, a claim that adds to a series of Ukrainian attacks on Russian naval assets. The attack on the Kovrovets represents a continuation of Ukraine’s strategic campaign to diminish Russia’s naval capabilities in the Black Sea.
According to the Ukrainian Navy, the Soviet-era minesweeper Kovrovets, part of the Project 266 Akvamarin class, known to NATO as the Yurka class, was destroyed overnight. The vessel was reportedly designed to detect mines up to 150 meters deep and was equipped with two 30mm AK-230M naval guns and a high-resolution Lynx radar.
“Another bad day for the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” the Ukrainian defence ministry said on X alongside a photo of the Kovrovets inside a targeting sight.The announcement from the Ukrainian Navy came amidst a background of escalating tensions and ongoing campaigns targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This latest incident followed previous successful strikes, including one on the Kommuna, a salvage ship and the oldest in service in the Russian Navy.
While specifics on the Kovrovets’ destruction remain undisclosed, the Ukrainian Navy’s assertion starkly contradicts Moscow’s previous assertions of thwarting attacks on occupied Crimea. Russian authorities have typically stayed mute on Ukraine’s allegations, yet losses of significant Russian ships have been verified by Russian military bloggers and media.
Russia’s defence ministry denied that its minesweeper had been destroyed in the attack and said that its air-defence systems had shot down all of Ukraine’s missiles.Moscow officials had asserted that “By air-defence duty systems, nine ATACMS operational-tactical missiles and one drone were destroyed over the territory of the Republic of Crimea.”
The destruction of the Kovrovets aligns with a pattern of Ukrainian forces employing innovative maritime tactics to offset the imbalance at sea. Despite Ukraine’s Navy being virtually non-existent, the country has effectively utilized missiles and maritime suicide drones to confront the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
The Ukrainian Navy has stated that around one-third of Russia’s Black Sea ships have been destroyed or incapacitated since the conflict began, including 24 ships and one submarine. These naval losses have been verified by Russian military bloggers and media, despite Russia’s official silence on many of Ukraine’s assertions.
Relevant articles:
– Missile strike has destroyed Russian Black Sea Fleet minesweeper, says Ukraine navy , The Telegraph, 05/20/2024
– Ukraine Destroys Russian Minesweeper in Black Sea, Ministry Celebrates, Business Insider, 05/19/2024
– Ukraine’s Navy says it destroyed Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight, Kyiv Independent, 05/19/2024
– Ukraine updates: Russia keeps up pressure near Kharkiv – DW – 05, DW (English), 05/19/2024
– Ukraine says it destroyed Russian Black Sea Fleet’s minesweeper Kovrovets, Euromaidan Press, 05/19/2024
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