Ukraine Strikes Blow to Russian Black Sea Fleet, Damages a Third

Despite attempts by Russia to minimize the losses of their Black Sea Fleet, Ukraine remains effective in diminishing the naval capabilities of the Russian forces in the Black Sea, according to a report from the British Ministry of Defence released on Friday. Ukraine has claimed to have sunk or damaged a third of all Russian ships in this region.

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A review of photographs detailing the aftermath of Ukraine's significant strike on Crimea on March 24 has verified the destruction or impairment of three Russian military facilities, in addition to two Ropucha-class landing ships, several tanks, and a Yuri Ivanov-class reconnaissance vessel, notably the Ivan Khurs, the Ministry pointed out.

Such assaults have compelled Russian vessels, particularly those of higher value which typically utilized the Sevastopol port facilities, to seek refuge in farther eastern ports, the intelligence brief mentioned.

**One third of the fleet sunk or damaged**

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed an offensive on March 24 targeting two Russian landing crafts, the Yamal and Azov, as well as the communications center of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian navy, reported two days later that they had struck a substantial landing ship, the Kostiantyn Olshansky, which had been illegally appropriated by the Black Sea Fleet in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea. Damage to the reconnaissance vessel Ivan Khurs was also confirmed by Ukrainian officials.

On Wednesday, Pletenchuk declared that since the onset of Russia's invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has successfully sunk or impaired a third of the Russian naval presence in the Black Sea.