A significant development unfolded off the coast of Russian-occupied Crimea as Ukraine's armed forces reported the sinking of a major Russian amphibious ship, the Caesar Kunikov. The incident, which occurred early on Wednesday morning, was marked by powerful explosions, according to reports from local social media.

 

Initial accounts suggested that the landing ship had been struck not far south of the town of Yalta. This latest episode adds to a series of clashes between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea region, with Ukraine claiming responsibility for targeting Russia's Black Sea fleet stationed in occupied Crimea.

 

Last year, satellite images revealed a significant reduction in the presence of the Russian fleet on the peninsula. The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence released footage purportedly showing Magura V5 naval drones attacking the Caesar Kunikov, further escalating tensions in the region.

 

 

As Ukraine's armed forces brace for the third year of Russia's full-scale war, newly appointed commander-in-chief Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi acknowledged the complexity of the situation. His visit to the front line came on the heels of a deadly Russian missile attack in the eastern town of Selydove, claiming three lives.

 

Despite the lack of confirmation from Russia's navy regarding the sinking of the Caesar Kunikov, Ukraine's intelligence directorate asserted that the landing ship had sustained critical damage and began to sink in Ukrainian territorial waters. The operation was attributed to a unit known as Group 13.

 

Amphibious ships like the Caesar Kunikov play a pivotal role in swiftly deploying assault troops, especially in hostile territories. Russia has utilized such vessels not only for military maneuvers but also for transporting supplies to conflict zones like Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

 

While Russian military bloggers acknowledged the incident, they emphasized that the crew had survived. The Caesar Kunikov, a relic from the Soviet era, joins a growing list of Russian vessels targeted by Ukrainian forces in the Black Sea, underscoring the ongoing hostilities between the two nations.

 

14.02.24

Source

 

The video is spliced from successive drone ships as they hit the 112.5 meter long vessel. The last part seems to show the massive ship rapidly rolling onto its side. 

 

 

Today is Valentines Day.

 

The Russian officer whom the ship is named after, Tsezar Kunikov, died in battle on Valentines day in 1943.  Wiki has already updated his WIKI page to note the ship's sinking on the 81st anniversary of his death.

 

I assume the Ukrainian planners where aware. 

I’ll bet Putin is having a first class fit!!salva Ukraine he he he……!

One by one the black sea fleet gets smaller

 

oops.

 

Edited February 17, 20242 yr by rabas