Ukraine reported another success in its ongoing conflict with Russia, claiming the destruction of a Russian naval vessel, the Novocherkassk, during a recent operation. The Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, remains a focal point in the broader regional tension.
In a Telegram post, a Ukrainian commander described the strike as a notable development, noting that the Novocherkassk followed the Black Sea Fleet flagship Moskvá, which sank in April 2022. The post was attributed to the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mikola Oleschuk — a detail included to emphasize leadership and oversight of air operations.
The source celebrated what it called a reduction in the size of the Russian fleet and extended thanks to the air force pilots and everyone involved in the operation. The Ukrainian Air Force detailed that the attack occurred around 02:30 local time, with tactical aircraft delivering cruise missiles to the large landing ship Novocherkassk in the Feodosia region, east of Crimea.
A failed first attempt
The released images from Telegram show a large blaze in the harbor area. The Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine indicated that the Novocherkassk was a vessel constructed in the socialist era for the USSR, with construction spanning from 1975 to 1991.
The first attempt to attack the Russian landing ship was reported in March 2022 at a port city tied to Berdiansk. The Ukrainian Defense Forces on Telegram described the ship as having been put up for sale by the invaders, signaling an ongoing and contested maritime environment in the region.
The most recent strike is situated in the context of broader actions against the Black Sea Fleet, including a notable attack last September. That operation targeted Sevastopol, a port city, using cruise missiles to damage a landing ship and a submarine undergoing repairs at a local shipyard. The sequence of events underscores the persistent engagement between Ukrainian forces and maritime assets in the Black Sea region — a dynamic widely followed by regional observers and security analysts. — attribution: Ukrainian Defense Forces Telegram