The impact of the Russian military port in Crimea being attacked was unprecedented
(Dan Tri) – According to the ISW Institute for the Study of War (USA), Ukraine’s missile attack on Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea could have a major impact on Moscow.
The image is said to be of a Russian warship on fire at a repair yard in Sevastopol after being hit by a Ukrainian missile on the morning of September 13 (Photo: Reuters).
On September 13, the Ukrainian army announced a successful raid on Russian ships anchored at the naval ship repair yard in Sevastopol, the largest city in the Crimean peninsula.
According to Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov, this `unprecedented` raid caused the S. Ordzhonikidze ship repair facility to catch fire, and a landing craft and a Russian submarine were destroyed `irretrievably.`
According to photos of the attack spread on Russian Telegram channels on September 13, one side of Moscow’s landing ship was damaged.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted 7 out of 10 Ukrainian cruise missiles targeting the port.
Russian-appointed Sevastopol officials said a fire broke out at the S. Ordzhonikidze ship repair yard, injuring at least 24 people.
`The apparent destruction of the two Russian ships will likely make the yard unable to operate until Russian forces clear the debris. This could take a significant amount of time,` ISW said.
The agency added that the extent of damage to repair facilities outside the Sevmorzavod workshop remained unclear.
Russia closed the Kerch Strait bridge connecting Crimea to its mainland the same day after the attack.
According to retired Ukrainian Navy Colonel Andriy Ryzhenko, the Russian side probably did not think that Kiev could carry out such a strong attack.
`This appears to be part of a complex multi-front counterattack by Ukraine,` said Ben Hodges, a retired lieutenant general and former commander of US forces in Europe.
He explained: `The counteroffensive is not only focused on ground forces trying to penetrate Russian trenches and minefields. That is only part of it. The counteroffensive also aims to isolate Crimea and then make the forces
This raid, along with recent Ukrainian attacks in and around Crimea, is believed to be intended to put pressure on Russia.
Crimea is considered a logistics and supply center for Russian forces in southern Ukraine.
Commenting on the Sevastopol raid early on the morning of September 13, Mr. Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote: `The demilitarization of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet aims to ensure long-term security of the routes.`