After an attack by unknown naval drones, a military ship with a list to port was spotted in Novorossiysk Bay, accompanied by three rescue tugs. Apparently, this is a large amphibious ship of project 775 "Olenegorsky Gornyak", which received significant damage.
About the attack of marine drones on Novorossiysk Bay on the night of Friday, August 4, 2023, reports Militarnyi with reference to Telegram channels of the aggressor country, as well as propaganda media. According to the report of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the attack was repulsed, and both naval UAVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles) were destroyed. But the morning shots from Novorossiysk say the opposite.
Russia's "Olenegorsky Gornyak" - Ropucha class large landing ship Project 775 - has been damaged as a result of an uncrewed surface vessel attack near Novorossiysk pic.twitter.com/EdaQXj6v1E
Russia's "Olenegorsky Gornyak" - Ropucha class large landing ship Project 775 - has been damaged as a result of an uncrewed surface vessel attack near Novorossiysk pic.twitter.com/EdaQXj6v1E
— Giorgi Revishvili (@revishvilig) August 4, 2023OSINT-analysts identify the damaged ship as a large amphibious ship of the project 775 "Olenegorsk Gornyak". It belongs to the same class as the VDK of the Ukrainian Navy "Kostyantin Olshansky", captured by Russia in 2014. "Olenegorsk Gornyak" was part of the Northern Fleet of the Russian Federation, it was transferred to the Black Sea on the eve of a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
In addition, a video from the attacking drone has already appeared, which leaves no doubt that the Russian ship was significantly damaged.
Footage of the Ukrainian USV hitting the Russian Ropucha class LST. pic.twitter.com/ksLP9PZfE5
Footage of the Ukrainian USV hitting the Russian Ropucha class LST. pic.twitter.com/ksLP9PZfE5
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 4, 2023According to some unverified Internet sources, this attack is a joint operation of the SBU and the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Drones equipped with 450 kg of explosives took part in the attack. If this is indeed an attack by the Armed Forces, and most likely it is, then this is the longest range at which Ukrainian naval drones have struck. To get to Novorossiysk BNA had to cover about 700 km around the Crimea.
We are waiting for official confirmation from the SBU and the General Staff.