The UK Ministry of Defense has reported that a Ukrainian attack on May 19 likely caused the sinking of the Russian KARAKURT-class Corvette ‘TSIKLON’ in Sevastopol, depriving Russia of a key naval platform in the Black Sea. This attack, along with previous Ukrainian strikes, has significantly damaged or destroyed 17 ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, including the flagship Moscova. Ukraine, lacking a strong navy, has been utilizing missiles and maritime suicide drones to counter Russia’s dominance in the region, posing a growing challenge to Russian maritime forces.
The loss of ‘Tsiklon’ has limited Russia’s ability to conduct Kalibr missile strikes and other frontline capabilities in the Black Sea theater. The British Ministry of Defense highlighted the coordinated nature of the Ukrainian attack, which likely involved unidirectional attack drones and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACM) missiles. The ‘TSIKLON’ was one of four KARAKURT-class KALIBR-capable vessels operating in the Black Sea, with two possibly moved to the Caspian Sea for safety after previous attacks, and the fourth already damaged in a previous Ukrainian strike.
While the sinking of ‘Tsiklon’ may not change the overall impact of the Russian Navy on Ukrainian operations, it underscores the ongoing threat to Russian forces in Crimea and the Black Sea region. Ukraine’s success in conducting coordinated strikes demonstrates its ability to challenge Russian dominance in the area. The British Ministry of Defense emphasizes the continuing danger faced by Russian forces in the region and Ukraine’s effectiveness in conducting these attacks.
Overall, the Ukrainian attack on the KARAKURT-class Corvette ‘TSIKLON’ represents another blow to Russian maritime forces in the Black Sea. With Ukraine employing innovative tactics to counter Russian dominance, the security environment in the region remains challenging for Russian operations. The ongoing success of Ukrainian strikes highlights the vulnerability of Russian forces in Crimea and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance in the face of Ukrainian military capabilities.
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https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/05/23/uk-intel-successful-ukrainian-strike-removes-russian-kalibr-missile-threat-in-black-sea/
