Ukraine claims successful drone strikes on two Russian ships in Black Sea

Ukrainian government officials have confirmed that two separate Ukrainian-led attacks using maritime drones successfully damaged two Russian vessels in the Black Sea on Friday, August 4.

Ukrainian sources told CNN that a Russian Navy landing ship and a Russian-flagged large commercial oil tanker were struck by unmanned boats carrying more than 450 kilograms of TNT apiece within hours of each other on the evening (local time) of Friday in this latest development in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

The first drone attack left the landing ship with a severe list that required it to be towed to the naval base at Novorossiysk on Russia’s Black Sea coast.

Following the second attack, the tanker, which has been identified as the 4,750GT Sig, suffered a hull breach just above the waterline. However, the Russian Federal Agency for Marine and River Transport said that the vessel has remained afloat and the 11-strong crew suffered no serious injuries.

CNN clarified that it has not yet been able to independently verify either country’s claims in connection with the two attacks on Friday.