Recent reports suggest that Ukrainian drones are posing a threat to Russian ships in the Sea of Azov. Kyiv is aiming to target Moscow’s infrastructure beyond the Black Sea.
Since the conflict initiated by Vladimir Putin, Kyiv has conducted notable operations against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, resulting in vessels being forced to relocate from Sevastopol in occupied Crimea to Novorossiysk and the Krasnodar region of Russia.
Satellite images from early October revealed that Russia had moved at least eight naval vessels, possibly to the Black Sea or the Sea of Azov, in response to the increased drone attacks from Ukraine.
According to Sky News in the UK, Ukrainian forces executed a coordinated strike against a Russian landing ship of the Ropucha class that had been repositioned from the Sea of Azov to the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea.
Telegram channels Crimean Wind and Ukrainian advisor Petro Andryushchenko provided additional details, indicating that a ship near Yeysk in Krasnodar was hit by Ukrainian forces.
There is conflicting information on the type of vessel targeted, with suggestions that it could be a Vasily Bukov-class patrol ship rather than a large landing ship as initially reported.
Crimean Wind claimed that satellite imagery showed signs of damage to a vessel and noted attempts by Russia to conceal the incident, hinting at the increasing pressure on the Russian Fleet in the Sea of Azov.
LeFever, CEO of Concentric, highlighted the possibility of Russia resorting to sea-floating mines as a defensive measure against such attacks.
Further disruptions were reported as Ukrainian drones targeted the tugboat Engineer Smirnov and a barge at Taganrog Bay, resulting in damage to the vessels and minor injuries to crewmembers.
The ongoing hostilities indicate the escalating tensions in the region and the significant impact of drone warfare on maritime operations.