Ukrainian forces' strike on Russian ship leaves 33 sailors missing, 19 injured

The independent Russian outlet Astra reported on Wednesday that at least 33 Russian sailors are unaccounted for after the Ukrainian forces attacked the landing ship Novocherkassk, as relayed by the Polish Press Agency. The ship was berthed in the port of Feodosia in occupied Crimea.

Astra's anonymous sources claim that 19 sailors sustained injuries. There were 77 people on board the ship when the attack occurred. Four civilians were also reportedly injured. A security worker at the port in Feodosia was tragically killed during the attack, as reported by PAP, citing information from the Russian outlet.

Reportedly, parts of a Storm Shadow cruise missile, presumably launched from a Ukrainian combat aircraft, were discovered at the scene. The Storm Shadow is a long-range, low-detectability, conventional, tactical cruise missile for precision targeting.

Media outlets have reported that the attacked ship was completely engulfed in flames before sinking as a result of the explosion. News of the attack on the landing ship Novocherkassk broke on Tuesday. The unit was targeted by Ukrainian aviation using maneuvering missiles on the night of Monday to Tuesday, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Polish Press Agency disclosed that the Russian Ministry of Defense had also confirmed the attack. They disclosed that destroyed Ukrainian Su-24 bombers were involved in the strike.