A Russian spy ship reportedly needs serious repairs, after it was struck by two Ukrainian missiles.
Knewz.com has learned the Ivan Khurs may have been hit “by two missiles at once” in the Crimean port of Sevastopol Saturday, March 23.
They were reportedly part of an 18-missile barrage on a city the Russians seized from Ukraine 10 years ago. Seven of the missiles went through Russian air defenses.
The ASTRA Telegram channel, quoted by Metro in Britain, reported damage to the ship. But it’s not clear if anyone aboard was wounded.
The Ivan Khurs is a prime target for Ukraine, perhaps because of more than its work as a “signals intelligence vessel.” It’s also expensive, costing more than $100 million to build before it launched in 2017.
Knewz.com reported in May 2023 on a Ukrainian drone attack that caused an explosion on board. But the Russian Defense Ministry called the attack “unsuccessful.”
The Russians claimed the Ivan Khurs was guarding pipelines last year. But “signals intelligence” implies the handling of classified information.
A second attack on the spy ship during the Russia-Ukraine battle left limited damage.
The latest Ukrainian attack also damaged two more expensive Russian warships. Military intelligence officials in Kyiv confirmed the Azov and Yamal were hit, with the Yamal receiving “critical” damage.
“The occupiers are continuously pumping water from the damaged ship,” a statement said. It noted the Yamal was out of service for six years, after it was used to seize Crimea.
The Yamal reportedly cost $215 million to build, as did the Azov.
The damage shows a change at the top of the Russian Navy has not brought peace to its Black Sea Fleet. Knewz.com reported in recent days that President Vladimir Putin replaced Adm. Nikolay Yevmenov with Adm. Alexander Moiseev.
According to the Kyiv Independent, Russia’s Navy has dropped by 24 warships and one submarine since the “special military operation” began in February 2022.
Ukraine’s armed forces, which keeps the count, estimates one-third of the Black Sea Fleet is out of commission.
But The New Voice of Ukraine quotes one Ukrainian Navy spokesperson as saying only three out of 13 Russian ships may be left. A fierce December 2023 storm covered by Front Page Detectives did not help.
Britain’s Defense Secretary is impressed.
“Russia’s Black Sea Fleet… is now functionally inactive,” Grant Shapps told the Charter 97 website.
“Russia has sailed the Black Sea since 1783, but is now forced to constrain its fleet to port. And even there, Putin’s ships are sinking!” Shapps added.
The post Putin’s Spy Ship Damaged in Ukraine Missile Strikes as Black Sea Fleet Attacks Intensify: Reports appeared first on Knewz.
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Author: Richard Burkard
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