Ukrainian precision strike in Crimea inflicts unexpected damage on Russian fleet
The Ukrainian attack on 24 March 2024 proved to be more damaging to the Russians than initially thought, as indicated by satellite images published by the British Ministry of Defence. Here's the latest update.
It appears that the Ukrainian air forces' strike on 24 March 2024 on Russian targets near Sevastopol, using Storm Shadow / SCALP-EG cruise missiles launched from modified Su-24s, was more effective than previously believed.
According to satellite images published by the British Ministry of Defence, alongside the communication centre of the entire Black Sea Fleet's aviation and a pair of Ropucha Jamal and Azov class landing ships, the Yuri Ivanov class reconnaissance ship also sustained damage. It is most likely damaged in 2023, the Ivan Khurs being the only unit of this type in the Black Sea Fleet.
The ships were targeted precisely in the rear section containing the engine room, which, following an explosion of an approximately 450 kilo (992-pound) BROACH warhead, likely resulted in the complete destruction of this section, rendering the ships inoperative for at least several months, if not permanently removing them from service.
The Yuri Ivanov class reconnaissance ship — the newest vessel of this type in the Black Sea Fleet
The Ivan Khurs is the second instance of the Yuri Ivanov class ships (the first serves in the Northern Fleet) and is the most recent addition of this type serving in the Black Sea Fleet. This is a ship commissioned in 2018, boasting capabilities significantly superior to other ships of its kind in the Black Sea dating back to the 1980s.
Owing to the nature of its assignments, the ship comes equipped with an extensive array of radars and listening systems designed to intercept enemy communications in the region and relay the gathered intelligence to other vessels of the Black Sea Fleet as part of the Podzagolovok-23 system.
This vessel has a length of 95 m (around 312 feet) and a displacement of about 4,000 tonnes. However, it must be protected by other units, as the Ivan Khurs is outfitted for self-defence with just four large-calibre machine gun stations of the KPV calibre 14.5x114 mm and six 9K38 Igla launchers.
