A Ukrainian missile strike has reportedly destroyed the Russian minesweeper Kovrovets in occupied Crimea, according to Ukraine’s military. While the Ukrainian Navy did not specify the details of the attack, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that US Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) were used.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense shared a photo of the Kovrovets in a targeting sight on X (formerly Twitter), captioned, “Another bad day for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.”
The US supplied Ukraine with ATACMS missiles, which are mobile surface-to-surface missile systems with a range of up to 190 miles, in April after persistent requests from Kyiv. Ukraine first utilized these missiles three weeks ago, targeting various locations in occupied Donbas and Crimea, including logistics bases, troop centers, and airfields.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense denied that the minesweeper had been destroyed, asserting that their air-defense systems intercepted all incoming missiles.
“By air-defense duty systems, nine ATACMS operational-tactical missiles and one drone were destroyed over the territory of the Republic of Crimea,” stated the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The reported sinking of the Kovrovets adds to the mounting pressure on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which has faced substantial losses since the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian forces have managed to sink or severely damage over a dozen of the Black Sea Fleet’s original complement of around three dozen large warships.
Another bad day for the russian Black Sea Fleet.
Overnight, Ukrainian defenders destroyed a russian minesweeper Project 266M “Kovrovets”.
Great job, warriors! pic.twitter.com/ol4reKtuN6— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 19, 2024
The destruction of the Kovrovets, a Project 266M Natya class minesweeper used for mine-sweeping operations, reconnaissance, and control sweeping, represents another significant blow to the Russian Navy. The Soviet-era minesweeper, built in the 1970s and 1980s, had a crew of 68 and was also deployed off the coast of Syria.
In March, the Ukrainian Navy reported to AP News that it had destroyed or disabled one-third of all Russian warships stationed in the Black Sea prior to the war.
The latest attack on the Russian fleet comes amid ongoing strikes on Novorossiysk, a port that has become increasingly important to the Black Sea Fleet following repeated attacks on its traditional base in Crimea. Ukraine’s largest drone attack to date targeted Novorossiysk, indicating continued efforts to disrupt Russian naval operations.
As Ukraine continues its offensive in Crimea and the Black Sea region, its forces face challenges in holding off Russian advances along the eastern front, particularly near Kharkiv. Despite these challenges, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine was not experiencing a shortage of artillery shells for the first time since the full-scale invasion began.
The Ukrainian Navy remains resolute, with their Telegram post stating, “The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with their comrades, continue to bring us closer to victory.”
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