Using marine drones, Ukraine claims to have sunk the huge Russian amphibious ship “Caesar Kunikov” in the Black Sea

The Ukrainian military said Wednesday that it sank a Russian landing ship in the Black Sea using marine drones, information that has not been confirmed by Moscow’s forces.

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency has released footage that appears to show Ukrainian marine drones destroying a ship in the Black Sea. At least three drones equipped with cameras sail towards the ship, hitting the waterline, sinking it.

According to the Ukrainian military, the large amphibious ship, named Caesar Kunikov, sank off the coast of Russian-occupied Crimea.

According to local social media, Loud explosions were heard in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday.

The amphibious ship Caesar Kunikov sank nearby Alupka, a city on the southern tip of the Crimean peninsula that Moscow annexed in 2014, the Ukrainian General Staff said in a statement Wednesday morning. The ship It has a capacity for a crew of 87 peopleHe added.

Collapse would be Another embarrassing setback for the Russian Black Sea Fleet and a significant success for Ukraine 10 days later second anniversary of the start of the invasion on February 24, 2022.

Ukraine moved into a defensive position during the war, burdened by a shortage of ammunition and personnel, But it maintained its attacks from behind the front lineabove all static, which extends for 1,500 kilometers (930 miles).

AND the second time in two weeks Ukrainian forces say they have sunk a Russian ship in the area. Last week, they released a video that they said showed maritime drones attacking the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets.

Ukrainian Military Intelligence, known by its acronym Ukrainian GURhe explained that his special operations unit “Group 13” sank the Caesar Kunikov Magura V5 maritime drones on Wednesday, causing damage to the left hip. According to authorities, the same unit was also the one that carried out the February 1 operation.

Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships and aircraft in the Black Sea have helped push Russian naval forces away from the coast allows Kiev to increase exports of crucial grains and other goods through its southern ports.

Marine drones, key elements of war

A new generation of unmanned weapons systems has become a central element in warfare, both at sea and on land.

He Drone Magura V5That It looks like a black speedboat, It was presented last year. It apparently reaches a speed of 42 knots (80 km/h) and could carry a payload of 320 kilos.

the Russian army He did not immediately comment. about the alleged sinking and claimed to have shot down six Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea overnight.

Caesar Kunikov, in honor of whom the Russian ship was named, He was a Soviet hero in World War II and died on February 14, the same day as the Ukrainian drone attack in 1943.