By Taz Ali
Ukrainian forces have destroyed a large Russian landing ship in the Black Sea off the coast of occupied Crimea, Kyiv’s military said.
Ukraine’s main directorate of intelligence (GUR) published a video on Wednesday of what it said was the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s Caesar Kunikov – also spelt Tsezar Kunikov – burning and sinking a few miles off Alupka on the southern tip of Crimea.
There was no immediate comment from Russia, which said earlier that it had destroyed six drones in the Black Sea.
The GUR said the warship had been attacked with naval drones. The vessel was an amphibious ship, used to move troops to land fast in enemy territory.
If confirmed, it would be another embarrassing blow for the Russian Black Sea fleet and a significant success for Ukraine 10 days before the second anniversary of the war.
Earlier this month, the GUR claimed to have destroyed Russia’s Ivanovets missile boat in the Black Sea, and in December, Ukrainian cruise missiles struck another large Russian landing warship in Crimea.
