Ukrainian drones attacked a ferry terminal at the Russian port of Kavkaz, causing significant damage to the Slavyanin, the last railway ferry in Crimea used to transport military equipment to Russian forces. The Ukrainian Navy claimed responsibility for the strike, which killed one person and injured four, according to the governor of Russia’s Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev.
Ukraine’s military reported that the attack severely damaged the Slavyanin, a critical component of Russia’s munitions supply chain to the occupied Crimean peninsula. The vessel, a 500-foot freight ferry, had been transporting railway carriages, vehicles, and containers for military purposes. Images posted by Ukraine showed black smoke rising from the vessel, indicating substantial damage.
#Drones attacked a ferry in the harbour of #Kavkaz in the #Krasnodar region this morning!
The photo shows the ferry “Slavyanin”.
It was used to transport railway wagons, vehicles and containers.#Crimea #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/QgXGTuOdT5
— Boris Alexander Beissner (@boris_beissner) July 23, 2024
The strategic importance of the Slavyanin became more pronounced after repeated Ukrainian attacks on the Kerch Strait Bridge, which forced the Russian military to avoid transporting hazardous cargo over the bridge. Instead, such cargoes were rerouted via the rail ferry connection at Kavkaz, making the ferries and their infrastructure prime targets for Ukrainian forces. In late May, Ukrainian missile strikes reportedly damaged the fuel tank depot at Kavkaz and other ferries on the route.
The attack on the Slavyanin is part of a strategy by Ukraine to disrupt Russian supply lines and military logistics.Â
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