Cesar Kunikov/Illustrative photo from open sources
The elimination of the large amphibious assault ship, «Caesar Kunikov», is expected to significantly curtail Russia’s logistical capabilities in the Black Sea.
This was reported by the UK Ministry of Defence on Twitter.
The report highlights that on February 14, Ukrainian forces successfully attacked the Russian Ropucha-class amphibious assault ship, Caesar Kunikov, using naval drones, resulting in its likely sinking. Ukrainian strikes also destroyed two other Ropucha-class ships.
According to British intelligence, the vessel played a crucial role in providing logistical support to the Black Sea Fleet (BSF) and the Russian military operations against Ukraine.
The loss of the ship is anticipated to further restrict Russia’s resources in the Black Sea, making the Black Sea Fleet’s logistics chain vulnerable to additional attacks. Moreover, it will exacerbate challenges in transporting reserves between mainland Russia and the Crimean peninsula, especially during the closure of the Kerch bridge, as highlighted in the intelligence report.
«Ukraine’s ingenuity likely hindered Russia’s unrestricted operations in the western Black Sea, allowing Ukraine to seize the maritime initiative from Russia», – the British Ministry of Defence emphasized