A video launched by GUR exhibits the ship earlier than and after the assault, that includes a vibrant explosion and subsequent fireplace that led to the vessel sinking.
Russian officers have remained silent on the incident. The destiny of the Caesar Kunikov’s crew, doubtlessly numbering as much as 87, stays unsure. Russian search and rescue efforts have so far been unsuccessful, in keeping with GUR.
”I counsel you consult with the statements of our army colleagues,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov advised journalists on Wednesday when requested to touch upon the destiny of the ship. The Russian Ministry of Protection’s solely remark claimed to have downed six Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea in a single day.
Nevertheless, the Telegram channel Rybar, near the Russian Ministry of Protection, did report on the assault. One other pro-military Telegram channel — Two Majors (Dva mayora) — wrote that the crew survived. “Ships, nonetheless missing technique of enough menace counteraction, are shot like partridges,” famous the pro-military Telegram channel Army Informer.
The Caesar Kunikov was named after a World Battle II Soviet hero. The date of the Ukrainian drone strike on the ship coincides with the anniversary of Kunikov’s demise on Feb. 14, 1943.
Ukraine managed to sink one other Russian boat — Ivanovets — two weeks in the past. If the sinking is confirmed, the Caesar Kunikov can be the 14th Russian vessel hit and the fifth giant touchdown ship within the Black Sea to be broken by the Ukrainian army because the full-scale invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.