Kiev claims destruction of small Russian corvette in Black Sea

The Russian Black Sea Fleet is still under heavy pressure from the Ukrainian military, which, due to a lack of ships, uses its naval drones, aerial drones and missiles to harass opposing naval forces. The latest example with the destruction claimed by Kiev of a Russian corvette IvanovetsA small missile-class ship Tarantula Both modest and old which were apparently sunk by some Naval Drones (USV) on 31 January.

The “The 13th Group” The GUR – headed by General Kyrylo Budanov – of the Ukrainian military intelligence general directorate – released a video of the attack which allegedly took place while the corvette was heading towards Lake Donuzlav in the north of the Crimean peninsula. We see the first naval drone approaching the small ship – whose characteristic superstructure with missile launchers on its sides is recognizable – from the starboard side. What follows is a loud explosion, the appearance of a large hole in the hull and then, finally, a glimpse of the bow of the boat which is surely sinking under water. The video is not continuous and has several cuts. At this point, the destruction ofIvanovets So cannot be confirmed with certainty.

“Due to a number of direct impacts on the hull, the Russian ship was damaged and any movement became impossible – the Ivanovets (…) sank”, mentioned GUR on telegram. Russian authorities have not officially responded, but Rybar, a Russian military blogger close to the Defense Ministry, clarified on Telegram this Thursday that a Russian boat “damage” During the night attack in the Crimean lake cited by the Ukrainians. The fate of the crew – about 40-50 sailors for a class of corvettes Tarantula – remains unknown at this stage.

An old and modest ship

If confirmed, and although the video is particularly impressive, the attack would not constitute a decisive loss to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This “Small Missile Ship”According to the old Soviet classification, the 56 m long was put into service in 1989 and remained a very low tonnage (400 to 500 tons, compared to the roughly 12,000 tons cruiser). Moscow sunk in April 2022). It is one of twenty Corvettes Tarantula Distributed among four fleets of the Russian Navy. They are equipped with largely obsolete weapons and sensors, in any case less sophisticated than those equipped with modern Russian corvettes and frigates. In particular, theIvanovets The older Moskite is equipped with anti-ship missiles and not the universal missile system of the Kaliber family, the ground strike version of which allows the Russian Navy to strike the entire Ukrainian territory due to its range of more than 2000 kilometers.

Also readWar in Ukraine: Navy drones, nightmare for Russian fleet in Black Sea

The Russian Black Sea Fleet has eight surface ships and seven submarines equipped with missiles of this caliber. As of today, January 2024, one of these submarines, the Rostov-on-DonSeverely damaged – even if the Russians have announced its return to service this year, information should be taken with caution – and the Ukrainians have also managed to neutralize the corvette. Askold class Karakurtwho was completing his trial before entering active service.

Attrition of these carriers “caliber”, as well as the logistics fleet, remains a major challenge for the Russian Navy in the Black Sea. Possible destruction ofIvanovets He does not participate directly, but nevertheless recalls that the strategy of the Ukrainian navy to harass the Russian fleet is a real military success for Kiev for the moment, especially when we remember that Ukraine no longer has a real navy, almost all of its ships have been destroyed. have been or occupied by the Russians in 2014 and 2022.

Listen to the International Club episode