(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – For the first time in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a Russian submarine suffered severe damage after its base in Sevastopol in the Crimea region was hit by cruise missiles “Storm Shadow” launched by the Ukrainian military.
The Ukrainian military’s attack, using a combination of cruise missiles supplied by Britain and unmanned boats equipped with explosives, also caused severe damage to a Landing Ship Tank (LST) of the Ropucha class named “Minsk.”
The Russian submarine targeted by the “Storm Shadow” guided cruise missile attack was identified as an Improved Kilo-class submarine, the “Rostov-on-Don” (B-237), valued at $300 million and only entering service in the Russian Navy in 2014.
Russia had been using this submarine to launch “Kalibr” guided cruise missiles against Ukraine in the Black Sea waters.
Both assets of the Russian Navy, which were hit by the “Storm Shadow” guided cruise missile strikes supplied by Britain, are likely to require extensive repairs due to the severe damage they sustained. Ukrainian intelligence indicates that both Russian naval assets may not return to operational status due to the extent of the damage.
In recent months, Kiev has intensified its attacks on Crimea in an effort to recapture the territory that has been occupied by Russia since 2014.
The attack on Sevastopol in the early hours of Wednesday demonstrates Ukraine’s increased capability to target Russian naval bases in the Crimea region.
Russian military sources have confirmed the Ukrainian attack on Crimea.
They stated that at least 10 “Storm Shadow” guided cruise missiles and three naval drones were used in the attack, with their defense systems successfully intercepting seven of the guided cruise missiles.
The sources also mentioned that both ships assigned to the Russian Black Sea Fleet were in dry dock at the Sevastopol naval base for maintenance and repairs.
Sevastopol is of utmost importance to Russia as it serves as a base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s ships, projecting Moscow’s maritime power in the Black Sea. Russia has also used its naval vessels from the Black Sea Fleet to launch guided cruise missiles against Ukrainian military positions.
Meanwhile, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev has stated that Ukraine’s attack on Crimea’s largest city and most crucial port has resulted in injuries to 24 people. — DSA