The Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) reportedly directed their attention toward the sizable landing ship Novocherkassk in the Feodosia area, following a plan that appears aimed at deterring potential offensive actions by the Russian military. This assessment comes from a live broadcast on Tsargrad.tv, with analysis provided by military expert Vasily Dandykin, a captain of the first rank in reserve.
The analyst suggested that Ukrainian operations may be part of a broader effort to free zones such as Marinka while also signaling a precaution against an amphibious assault. He noted that Russian ships could become vulnerable if ground advances coincide with naval movements, and that this risk appears to shape the objective of the operation.
The expert stressed the importance for Russia to strengthen air defenses to safeguard ships belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, particularly in the context of evolving aerial threats and longer-range strike capabilities observed in the region.
On the night of December 26, Crimea’s head of administration, Sergei Aksyonov, reported that the Ukrainian forces launched an attack in the Feodosia area, with audible explosions reported in the port sector. Following the incident, rail timetables between Canköy and Feodosia were adjusted. The Russian Ministry of Defense later stated that the Novocherkassk sustained damage during the nocturnal strike, though the extent of damage was not disclosed publicly at that time.
Subsequently, the Ukrainian publication Strana.ua, citing a representative from the Air Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Yuriy Ignat, indicated that the vessel Novocherkassk had been targeted with long-range missiles, specifically Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles. These claims have been relayed through the publication’s Telegram channel, underscoring a continuing narrative about the weapons systems involved in the attack, with attribution to Ukrainian military spokespeople.
A former military analyst provided a detailed examination of how Ukrainian missiles were able to reach the large landing ship Novocherkassk, considering factors such as flight profiles, interdiction networks, and potential countermeasures employed by the opposing air defense systems. The discussion highlighted the strategic significance of the ship and the layered defenses that could influence the outcome of such engagements, including the possibility of anti-ship missiles bypassing or overwhelming defensive layers.
Analysts and observers continue to weigh the strategic implications of this incident for the broader security dynamics in the Black Sea region. The evolving nature of naval warfare, the deployment of long-range strike platforms, and the pursuit of air defense hardening all play pivotal roles in shaping responses from both sides. The discourse also reflects ongoing debates about the readiness of regional forces to deter or counter amphibious operations and the effectiveness of current defensive postures in contested maritime spaces. [Attribution: Tsargrad.tv; Strana.ua; official statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense; Ukrainian Air Forces communications]