The Ukrainian air force claimed this Tuesday, December 26, to have destroyed in Crimea a vessel from the Russian fleet in the Black Sea suspected of transporting Iranian drones used by Moscow in the conflict with kyiv. “The large landing ship Novocherkassk” was “destroyed” by air force pilots in Feodosia, in occupied Crimea, this source said on the Telegram messaging service. “People say he was carrying Shaheds,” Iranian explosive drones widely used by Russia against Ukraine, the air force added.
The attack was carried out during the night from Monday to Tuesday using cruise missiles from “tactical aviation”, she said. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchouk relayed a video showing an explosion and a spray of flames. The head of the “Republic of Crimea”, Sergei Aksionov said that one person was killed and two others were injured in the Ukrainian attack.
Located on the Black Sea, Feodosia is home to a major Russian naval base.
A new nighttime drone attack
Ukraine frequently carries out strikes in Crimea, particularly targeting the Russian military. In April 2022, it sent the cruiser Moskva, the Russian flagship of the Black Sea fleet, to the bottom.
The Air Force also indicated that the country was the subject of a new night attack by Shahed drones, particularly in the Kherson and Odessa regions. Thirteen of the 19 Russian drones were intercepted, according to this source which did not report any casualties or destruction.