Ukrainian sea drones damage Russian Black Sea fleet patrol ship near Crimea, Ukraine says

Reuters. Ukrainian sea drones damaged a Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship off occupied Crimea, Ukrainian military intelligence said on Tuesday (March 5).

 

The intelligence agency said on Telegram messaging app that its special unit Group 13 attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait.

 

Reuters verified the ship’s shape, weaponry and structures seen in the footage released by the intelligence agency appeared to match file video and photographs of the Russian ship Project 22160 Sergey Kotov. But it was not conclusive due to the footage being low resolution and monochrome.

 

"As a result of a strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Project 22160 Sergey Kotov sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides," the intelligence agency said.

 

Train traffic was temporarily stopped on the bridge linking the Crimean peninsula to the Russian mainland, according to the Telegram channel of a Russia-installed official in Crimea.

 

The Russian defense ministry did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.