In a series of developments that could alter the maritime dynamic in the Black Sea, Ukraine’s navy has claimed a significant tactical success by reportedly striking and destroying the Russian missile carrier Tsiklon, referred to as Russia’s last cruise missile carrier based out of the annexed Crimea peninsula.
A Ukrainian navy spokesperson, Dmytro Pletenchuk, spoke to Radio Free Europe, indicating that efforts were underway to verify the destruction of the Tsiklon after the strike on Saturday. While exact details of the attack, including the location and weaponry used, remain undisclosed, the implications of such an action are profound, potentially leaving Russia without missile carriers in the strategically important region.
The vessel in question, the Tsiklon, is believed to have been introduced into service as recently as July and enabled cruise missile strikes at distances of up to 1,500 miles. Its importance to Russian naval operations in the Black Sea, where Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, cannot be overstated. The significance of this strike is highlighted by the vessel’s reported capabilities, including carrying Kalibr missiles, a type that has been deployed to devastating effect on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Subsequent reports suggest that the ships were based out of Sevastopol, the home of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters. Russian social media channels and pro-Russian groups have also echoed the notion that the Tsiklon has been struck, adding a layer of credibility to the Ukrainian claims. Concurrently, reports of the destruction of the Russian minesweeper Kovrovets in the same attack underline the scale and effectiveness of Ukraine’s strategy against Russian naval assets.
The strike on the Tsiklon, if confirmed, would be a continuation of Ukraine’s assertive actions against Russian naval power, an operation that Ukraine says has already decimated a significant portion of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Earlier this year, Russia reacted to these losses by relocating much of its Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, which lies hundreds of miles away on the Russian coast.
Relevant articles:
– Ukraine says it may have destroyed Russia’s last cruise missile carrier based out of Crimea, Business Insider, 05/22/2024
– The Ukrainian Navy Destroys Another Minesweeper Belonging To The Russian Black Sea Fleet, Overt Defense -, 05/21/2024
– Putin’s brand new £26,000,000 missile ship Tsyklon struck, Metro.co.uk, 05/21/2024
– Ukraine’s destruction of warship signals shift in use of US weapons, inews, 05/20/2024
– Russian sources confirm Tsiklon Karakurt-class missile ship was sunk b, Army Recognition, 05/20/2024
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