The British Defence Minister, announced that the Russian Black Sea Fleet has been rendered “functionally inactive” due to Ukrainian missile strikes. The strikes targeted the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, a strategic location for the Russian naval force. Shapps’ comments were made in light of a post by the Ukrainian defense ministry, which claimed responsibility for the attacks carried out on Sunday.
According to open-source intelligence and Ukrainian military intelligence, the Ukrainian forces utilized British-provided Storm Shadow missiles, along with Neptune missiles, ADM-160 decoy missiles, and drones in their operation. The missile strikes caused critical damage to the Russian vessel Yamal, including a breach in the upper deck that led to the ship listing to starboard.
The attacks also hit Ropucha-class landing ships Yamal and Azov, the fleet’s communications center, and other infrastructure facilities. This operation marks a notable escalation in Ukrainian efforts to assert control over Crimea, with the Ukrainian defense ministry celebrating the success of the strikes in a social media post that concluded with “Bravo! Crimea is Ukraine!”
Shapps highlighted the cost of Russia’s continued occupation of Ukraine, emphasizing the detrimental impact on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The fleet, stationed in the port city of Novorossiysk since the commencement of the conflict, has suffered substantial losses, affecting its operational capabilities in the Black Sea region. This development marks a notable point in the ongoing conflict, showcasing Ukraine’s capacity to challenge Russian naval dominance in the area.
Expanded Coverage:
