Ukrainian Navy hits Russian ship seized in 2014 with missile strike

The Ukrainian Navy reported striking the large landing ship Kostiantyn Olszanski, illegally seized by Russia in 2014. According to the Ukrainian military, the vessel suffered damage from a Neptune missile.

"We made the decision to target the specific unit with our Neptune missile system. We are currently analyzing the damage caused by this attack. One thing is certain - the target was hit and is now incapable of continuing combat operations," Dmytro Pletenchuk commented in a Tuesday interview on Ukrainian television.

Constructed in Poland at the Gdańsk shipyard, Kostiantyn Olszański fell into Russian hands in March 2014 during the onset of Crimea’s occupation. Anchored in Lake Donuzlav, on the Crimean Peninsula's west, it was trapped when the Russians obstructed the narrow strait leading to the Black Sea by sinking two old vessels.

Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian ship with grenade assaults and gunfire from boats. At the time, around 20 sailors and the captain were onboard the Olszański, taking cover inside the vessel against the approximately 200 strong opposing forces.

For 9 years, Kostiantyn Olszański was docked in Sevastopol Bay, being dismantled for parts. However, a decision was later made to reconstruct it. "In the 10th year of the conflict, facing a shortage of large ships, the Russians opted to recommission it, prompting our Neptune strike," stated the spokesman for the Ukrainian navy.

Furthermore, Dmytro Pletenchuk highlighted significant damage inflicted on several other Russian ships, including the Azov, Yamal, and Ivan Khurs. According to him, those vessels can no longer fulfill combat missions.

The Neptune missiles, developed and manufactured by Ukroboronprom, were delivered to the Armed Forces in 2020. Their production started six years prior, following Crimea's annexation.