Satellite images taken on November 5 and published by Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty’s Schemes project clearly show the damage to the Kerch shipyard in Ukraine caused by the successful Storm Shadow strike. The images also indicate that the docked Russian warship was also damaged.

According to Reserve Captain 1st Rank Andriy Ryzhenko, there was only one cruise missile carrier, the Askold, present in Kerch at the time of the explosions on November 4. Ryzhenko believes that the Askold was already in the dock for repairs as it was scheduled for delivery in December. Although the ship is still afloat, the upper part of the vessel is noticeably damaged. The Askold is a small Project 22800 Karakurt warship capable of carrying up to 8 Kalibr cruise missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force successfully targeted the sea and port infrastructure of the Zaliv shipbuilding plant, as reported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Strategic Communications Directorate. The Russian Defense Ministry also acknowledged that a ship at the shipyard was damaged in the missile strike.

Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukrainian Air Force Commander, confirmed that one of the most modern ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, a Kalibr cruise missile carrier, was the target of the strike. He hinted that Storm Shadow cruise missiles might have been used in the attack.

These developments are crucial for Ukraine’s security as neutralizing such a ship is of great importance. However, it is important to await official confirmation regarding the exact nature of the damage inflicted on the shipyard and the warship.