Ukraine claims to sink Russian ship in the Black Sea using naval drones

Ukraine sinks Russian ship using naval drones

Ukraine's military claimed on Wednesday that they used high-tech naval drones to sink a Russian landing ship in the Black Sea. The ship, named Caesar Kunikov, was reportedly carrying ammunition and had 87 crew members on board. The location of the sinking, off the coast of the southern edge of the Crimean Peninsula, has seen tensions rise between Russia and Ukraine. However, the report has not been confirmed by Russian authorities, and several Russian military bloggers have only confirmed the attack without verifying if the ship had indeed sunk.

If confirmed, this incident would be a significant success for Ukraine just days before the second anniversary of Russia's invasion in 2022. It would also be another blow to the Russian Black Sea fleet, which has already faced setbacks due to Ukrainian attacks. Ukraine has been hindered by low ammunition supplies and a shortage of personnel but has managed to keep up its strikes along the front line.

The sinking of the Caesar Kunikov follows similar claims made by Ukraine in the past few weeks. They released a video showing naval drones assaulting the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets, which they said they had sunk in the Black Sea.

Details of the operation and impact

Ukraine's Military Intelligence, known as GUR, stated that their special operations unit "Group 13" used Magura V5 sea drones to sink the Caesar Kunikov. The operation was described as taking a long time to prepare, with routes tracked and data collected. The Ukrainian military did not disclose how many drones were used in the attack.

Analysts believe that the sinking of the Russian ship could significantly impact Russia's Black Sea fleet and the country's ability to escort merchant vessels that call at Crimean ports. It is likely that the Caesar Kunikov was part of the fleet engaged in this activity. The ship, designed for amphibious assaults, can carry tanks, troops, and cargo, and does not need to dock in order to land on shore.

Unmanned weapons systems in the war

The war between Russia and Ukraine has seen a new generation of unmanned weapons systems play a significant role. The Magura V5 drone, which was used in the attack, was unveiled last year. With a top speed of 42 knots and a payload capacity of 320 kilograms, the drone has proven to be effective in naval operations. Along with drones, Ukraine has also targeted Russian aircraft and ships in the Black Sea, pushing Moscow's naval forces back from the coast.

The Russian military did not immediately comment on the sinking of the Caesar Kunikov but did state that they had downed six Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea. Meanwhile, the war between the two countries has escalated, with recent reports of Russian attacks on Ukrainian towns, resulting in casualties.