On February 14, 2024, Ukraine’s armed forces reported that a Russian amphibious ship, the Caesar Kunikov, had sunk off the coast of Russian-occupied Crimea. According to local social media, powerful explosions were heard early that morning, near the town of Yalta, indicating that the landing ship had been hit.
This incident is part of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea region. It is noteworthy that satellite images from the previous year showed that much of Russia’s Black Sea fleet had left the peninsula. The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence released a video showing Magura V5 naval drones striking the landing ship, while Russia’s military bloggers have confirmed that the crew of the ship survived.
The Caesar Kunikov, which dates back to the end of the Soviet era, is the second Russian ship to be successfully hit in the Black Sea this month. The sinking of the Caesar Kunikov follows the recent attack on the Ivanovets, a small warship hit by drones in a special operation. Additionally, another Russian landing ship, the Novocherkassk, was previously hit while in port in Feodosiya in December.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has a long history, with the current situation marking the third year of Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine. Ukraine’s military has been in a state of alert, with the country’s armed forces chief acknowledging the “extremely complex” situation. Amid this ongoing conflict, it is crucial to acknowledge the historic and geopolitical factors that have led to the current tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
It is important to stay updated on this developing situation as it could have broader implications for the region and international relations.