In a daring operation, Ukraine has declared that it successfully sank another Russian warship in the Black Sea, utilizing state-of-the-art sea drones. The Ukrainian forces aimed their attacks at targets beyond the war's front line, dealing a blow to Moscow's capabilities. However, Russian authorities have not yet confirmed these claims.

According to Ukraine's military intelligence agency, a special operations unit destroyed the large patrol ship Sergey Kotov overnight. This newly commissioned ship, capable of carrying cruise missiles and manned by around 60 crew members, was reportedly hit near the Kerch Strait. While Russia's Black Sea fleet consists of numerous vessels, the sinking of such a modern ship would represent a significant loss and embarrassment for Moscow.

Kyiv officials assert that approximately 20% of Russian missile attacks on Ukraine are launched from the Black Sea. By successfully carrying out attacks against enemy warships, Ukraine has managed to push the Russian fleet away from the coast, enabling the establishment of a grain export corridor.

The Magura V5 uncrewed vessels, equipped with explosives, were used in the nighttime attack on the Sergey Kotov. These advanced drones, designed and built in Ukraine, have proven to be a formidable weapon against Russian warships. The Ukraine defense ministry released a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing the attack on the ship. According to the military intelligence agency, the attack resulted in the death of seven Russian crew members, with 52 individuals rescued and six sustaining injuries.

It is important to note that these claims made by Ukraine cannot be independently verified immediately. The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which started after Russia's invasion in February 2022, has been plagued by disinformation campaigns.

Recalling recent events, Ukraine previously announced sinking two Russian warships through the use of drones. On February 1, the Russian missile-armed corvette Ivanovets was said to have been sunk, followed by the destruction of the Caesar Kunikov landing ship on February 14. However, Russian officials have not validated these assertions.

In a separate incident, the Russian military dispatched a Su-27 fighter jet to escort a French E-3F military surveillance plane, accompanied by two Rafale fighter jets, over international airspace in the Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the Su-27 was scrambled to prevent a violation of the state border and claimed the French planes turned away after their approach. Moscow has repeatedly accused NATO allies of gathering intelligence to aid Ukrainian strikes on Russian forces.

As the conflict continues to escalate, both Ukraine and Russia strive to gain the upper hand, employing advanced technologies and strategies in their endeavors. The sinking of the Sergey Kotov marks another notable development in the ongoing battle for control in the region.