4-8-2023 (MOSCOW) In a daring move, Ukraine has reportedly carried out a sea drone attack on a Russian naval base, resulting in a damaged Russian warship tilting precariously in the Black Sea. The incident, which unfolded early Friday, was captured in dramatic videos circulating on social media platforms.
Images on social media showed the stricken vessel being towed near the Novorossiysk naval base, despite initial claims by the Russian defense ministry that the attack had been successfully repelled. According to a Ukrainian source, the sea drone, armed with 450 kilograms of TNT, targeted the ship, which was said to have approximately 100 Russian servicemen on board. The source revealed that the Olenogorsky Gornyak, an amphibious Russian landing ship, had sustained significant damage and was rendered incapable of fulfilling its duties.
Video footage showing an unmanned sea drone approaching a ship that matched the description of the vessel seen listing in the port of Novorossiysk. The 36-second video, filmed at night from the perspective of the sea drone, abruptly ends as the drone reaches its intended target.
#BREAKING Footage of Ukrainian kamikaze USV attack on Russian Navy’s Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorski Gornjak in Novorossiysk.
The attack was conducted by Ukrainian Intelligence (SBU) saturated with 450 kg of TNT. pic.twitter.com/RjwQzMVEjr
— #Insider (@insider_der) August 4, 2023
The Ukrainian source disclosed that the operation was a joint effort between the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy. The successful strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, further intensifying tensions in the region.
In response to the attack, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the port of Novorossiysk was operating normally and that cargo operations were proceeding as planned. This contradicted the visual evidence of the damaged warship and the Ukrainian claims of a successful strike. Regional governor Veniamin Kondratiev echoed the denial, stating that the Russian military had repelled an attack by two surface drones in Novorossiysk without any casualties or damage. The Seafarers Union also affirmed that civilian vessels in the port were unaffected by the incident.
“Follow the Moskva…”
Another Russian warship gets that sinking feeling following Ukraine’s audacious overnight drone attack on Novorossiysk port pic.twitter.com/3vRDiuVSen
— Business Ukraine mag (@Biz_Ukraine_Mag) August 4, 2023
Earlier reports from Russia had indicated that two Ukrainian sea drones had been intercepted by the defense ministry. However, the Ukrainian operation seems to have caught the Russian authorities off guard, resulting in the severe damage inflicted on the warship.
The repercussions of this bold move by Ukraine are yet to be fully realized, as both countries continue to engage in a high-stakes conflict that shows no signs of abating. The international community closely watches the developments in the region, with concerns mounting over the potential escalation of hostilities and the impact on global security.
