Newly released satellite photos reveal the smouldering wreckage of two Russian naval assets after a devastating strike by Ukraine. The attack consisted of ten cruise missiles and kamikaze drones, causing severe damage to the landing ship named “Minsk” and the Kilo-class attack submarine “Rostov-on-Don.” Both vessels were reportedly awaiting repairs in a dry dock before the attack.
The photos depict the crumbling remains of the heavily damaged landing ship and submarine, with smoke still rising from the wreckage. It is believed that the Storm Shadow missiles used in the strike were supplied to Ukraine by Britain and France. These air-launched cruise missiles can travel up to 600mph and hit targets up to 350 miles away.
The head of Ukraine’s air force, Mykola Oleshchuk, expressed gratitude to his pilots for their successful combat work in destroying the ships. However, the pro-Moscow Telegram channel Grey Zone reported that the Russian defense ministry vowed to repair the vessels. They also suggested that the restoration process might take a considerable amount of time, affecting Russia’s participation in the military conflict.
The missile attack is expected to have significant reverberating impacts on Moscow’s military. The destruction of the dry dock in occupied Crimea, where the vessels were situated, will likely impede further repairs until the debris is cleared. This could potentially hinder Russian forces in the event of future Ukrainian strikes on their naval assets.
In addition to the naval strike, Crimea was hit with kamikaze drone strikes that caused a massive explosion in the Russian-occupied city of Yevpatoria. Multiple Russian military units are based there, and the city had already been targeted in a previous attack. Furthermore, a Russian navy ship was reportedly hit by five Ukrainian drones in the Black Sea.
These latest blows to Russia’s war effort are significant, coinciding with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. The two leaders engaged in weapons talks at a space base, with Kim expressing confidence in Russia’s ability to triumph against “evil.”
The extent of the damage inflicted on the shipyard and the lasting impact on Russia’s military capabilities remain to be seen.