Recent reports confirm that Ukrainian precision-guided missiles successfully sank a Russian armed minesweeper and likely destroyed a modern guided missile boat in Sevastopol. The Russian minesweeper Kovrovets, belonging to the Black Sea Fleet, was targeted and sunk at its moorings in an attack on May 19. The Ukrainian Navy’s attack marks a significant military achievement against Russian naval forces in the region.
The targeted minesweeper, Kovrovets, is a Project 266M vessel with a crew of 68 men. Additionally, the attack also targeted the Tsyklon, a Project 22800 guided missile corvette utilized by the Russian navy. The use of US-manufactured long-range ATACMS missiles in the strikes showcases a strategic shift in Ukraine’s military capabilities, following the recent decision by the White House to provide modern weaponry to Kyiv.
The effectiveness of the precision strikes and the damage caused by the Ukrainian missiles highlight the evolving nature of the conflict in the region. With significant losses suffered by the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Ukraine continues to leverage advanced military technology to counter Russian aggression and defend its sovereignty.