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Maritime Drone Warfare: Ukraine Sinks $65 Million Russian Warship

Maggie Johnson

By Maggie Johnson

December 16, 2024

Image Credit: “HUR unveils Russian conversation about Sergey Kotov ship destruction,” available at Yahoo Images (12/16/2024).

Ukraine has claimed another significant blow to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, announcing the successful sinking of the 1,300-ton Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov using maritime drones. The operation was carried out near the Kerch Strait, a crucial waterway that separates occupied Crimea from southwest Russia and has been a focal point of the conflict. This marks the latest in a series of naval losses for Moscow, with Kyiv asserting that more than a third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet has been neutralized since the war began.

The Sergei Kotov was reportedly struck by Magura V5 drones, a sophisticated maritime drone operated by Ukraine's Group 13 special unit in collaboration with the Ukrainian Navy and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. These drones are equipped with advanced targeting systems and high-explosive warheads, making them a potent weapon in Ukraine's arsenal. The attack caused damage to the ship's stern, starboard, and port sides, igniting a fire that ultimately led to its sinking, Ukraine said. Defense Intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov stated the ship had been targeted previously, but this time, it was "destroyed for sure."

Ukraine claimed the attack resulted in seven Russian fatalities and 27 injuries, though it did not disclose the source of this information. Kyiv's use of maritime drones has proven particularly effective in recent months, delivering notable successes in the Black Sea even as its ground forces face challenges elsewhere.

In February, a similar drone attack sunk the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov, inflicting critical damage on its hull. Earlier in the month, Ukrainian forces reported disabling 24 Russian warships and one submarine, reducing the operational capacity of Russia's Black Sea Fleet by approximately 33%.

One of Russia's most devastating naval losses remains the sinking of the guided-missile cruiser Moskva in April 2022. The Sergei Kotov, meanwhile, was among the fleet's newest vessels. Launched in January 2021, the 300-foot-long warship had a range of 6,000 nautical miles and was designed to accommodate a crew of 80, a helicopter, a 57mm gun, and modern air defense systems. According to Ukrainian sources, the vessel had an estimated value of $65 million.

This latest attack underscores Ukraine's continued focus on undermining Russian naval capabilities, particularly in the strategic Black Sea region.


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