New setback for the Russian fleet in Crimea. The Ukrainian navy reported hitting the rescue vessel Kommunain service since 1915. According to what was reported by Kyiv Independent and from various Osint sources, the extent of the damage suffered by the vessel is not yet clear but it does not appear to have sunk.
In a video released on social media, it is possible to see the flames and columns of smoke rising from the vessel, anchored in the port of Sevastopol. In the morning, Russian Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev reported that Kremlin forces had repelled a missile attack anti-ship on the north side of the bay. According to what was reported, the fire visible in the images was caused by falling debris and was quickly put out. Local media and witnesses also said that traffic on the Kerch Bridge was temporarily suspended due to the raid.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the Russian naval forces have been one of the priority targets of the Kiev army, which has equipped itself with an arsenal of maritime drones produced in the country. These devices have demonstrated their effectiveness on several occasions, damaging or sinking several enemy vessels. To limit these attacks, the Kremlin moved most of the Black Sea fleet to the port of Novorossysk and, according to reports from the Atash partisan group, ordered the construction of a barrier at the entrance to Sevastopol Bay. In addition to drone strikes, Kiev’s forces have repeatedly bombed the occupied peninsula with missiles supplied by the Western allies and conducted several raids with special forces. The latter never managed to achieve considerable results, but they still forced Russia to deploy defense systems and resources to protect the area.
This latest attack, as well as all the others behind the lines, is part of the strategy that Ukraine has decided to adopt for 2024, following the advice of the United States. Kiev forces are currently running out of ammunition and new ones counteroffensives they would not be sustainable. Furthermore, the aid package approved in the US House of Representatives on Saturday 20 April is focused on the supply of defensive systems such as Patriot.
Over the next few months, therefore, it is likely that the Ukrainian military will continue to contain Russian aggression and focus on deep attackstargeting infrastructure or strategic assets deep within Federation territory.
