This morning, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence officially confirmed that on the night of March 5, the special forces unit Group 13 of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine targeted the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s patrol ship “Sergei Kotov.” According to the intelligence press service, the Russian ship has been destroyed.
“The Russian project 22160 ship ‘Sergiy Kotov’ suffered damage to the stern, right, and left sides as a result of the strike by the Magura V5 naval drones,” reads the Ukrainian military’s statement on Telegram.
The Military Intelligence Directorate adds that the sunken ship’s cost is approximately 65 million dollars. The Sergei Kotov is a modular patrol ship of Project 22160, one of the latest additions to the Russian military naval fleet. It was launched in 2021, becoming the fourth ship in the series and joining the ranks of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. With a full displacement of 1800 tons, a crew of 28 people, and a cruising range of up to 60 days, it stands as a notable addition to the fleet.
Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, commented to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that there had been successful Ukrainian attacks on the same Russian ship in the past, but it was eventually repaired.
“The [Russian] enemy had plans for them [ships]. Apart from the patrol boat itself, Russians also planned to install anti-aircraft missile systems on the ship. There have been casualties and injuries among the Russian personnel. Some of the crew managed to evacuate, so we are currently clarifying the exact information. Reportedly, at least ten ambulances were called to the mainland [near the crash site in Crimea],” Yusov said.
It’s important to mention that several Telegram channels, including Crimean Wind, reported multiple explosions heard overnight on March 5th in the temporarily occupied Crimea. Additionally, both car and rail traffic on the Crimean Bridge were blocked for nearly 9 hours.
