Ustrike sinks Russian submarine, reshaping Crimean defences

In the latest intelligence update by the British Ministry of Defence, it was reported that the Ukrainian attack on Crimea carried out on 3 August most likely resulted in the sinking of the Kilo-class submarine "Rostov-on-Don" of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Although the attack was conducted alongside a series of drone strikes, tactical missile systems of the ATACMS army were most likely used in the Sevastopol attack - it was added.

According to British intelligence, contrary to some reports, the submarine was most likely not fully repaired after the previous attack in September 2023, and this latest one will probably end its service because it is more economically viable to build a new submarine than to haul and repair it.

"Although this will significantly boost the morale of the Ukrainian armed forces, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on the long-range maritime strikes of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on Ukraine. The attack highlights increased risks for Russian forces in Crimea and will most likely force Russia to reconsider any plans to relocate significant naval forces back to the peninsula," the British Ministry of Defence reads in the latest intelligence update.

Ukrainian forces sank the Russian submarine "Rostov-on-Don" in the military port in Sevastopol - the General Staff of Ukraine reported on Saturday.

The General Staff explained that the B-237 "Rostov-on-Don" submarine (Kilo in NATO classification) was one of four Kilo-class submarines equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles.

The vessel was commissioned on 26 December 2014. On 13 September 2023, the submarine suffered significant damage due to a Ukrainian missile attack. After initial repairs, it was transported to a repair shipyard in Sevastopol, where it was sunk.

The estimated value of this submarine is £245 million.