Dramatic video appears to show a $65 million Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship getting hit by Ukrainian drones overnight – sending clouds of debris into the air before it sunk beneath the surface.
The Sergey Kotov, a large patrol vessel carrying a helicopter, was destroyed off occupied Crimea overnight by Magura V5 unmanned vessels, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.
Grainy, black-and-white footage shared by Ukraine’s military Tuesday, showed the ship patrolling the waters suddenly being struck at least twice before slipping below the surface.
“Another bad day for the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” the Defense of Ukraine wrote alongside the video.
The Sergey Kotov – which can reportedly carry cruise missiles and around 60 crews – was hit near the Kerch Strait.
The strike damaged the stern, starboard and port sides, according to Ukraine which estimated the damage to be at least $65 million.
“Right now this ship is on the seabed as a result of fire damage by unmanned boats,” navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said in televised comments, adding that a helicopter may have been on board.
Russian authorities did not confirm the report, which could not be independently verified.
The Magura V5s are made in Ukraine and are filled with explosives.
While the majority of the fighting continues along the 930-mile front line, Ukraine’s success against Russian warships in the Black Sea has pushed the latter away from the coastline and allowed Ukraine to set up a grain export corridor.
Last month, Ukraine claimed it sank two other Russian warships with drones, including a missile-armed corvette and a landing ship.
Russian officials did not confirm these reports, either.
With Post wires