Ukrainian cruise missiles severely damaged a state-of-the-art Russian stealth warship, new photo and video evidence shows.
An image released by Ukraine’s government indicated that the 220-foot missile corvette Askold – one of Russia’s newest ships.
In addition, an unconfirmed video appears to show the moment the three Storm Shadow or SCALP cruise missiles launched from Ukrainian Su-24 bombers impacted on the target erupting into a fiery explosion.
Ukraine’s strategic communications directorate said: “Confirmed. The Russian missile carrier ‘Askold’ – the newest ship of the ‘Karakurt’ project with ‘stealth’ technology was damaged due to the damage of the naval and port infrastructure of the ‘Zaliv’ plant in the temporarily occupied Crimea.”
The Askold is just the latest victim in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet which Ukraine’s longer-range surface-to-air missiles have hammered.
Earlier this year, Ukraine struck the fleet’s headquarters in Crimea claiming to have killed dozens of officers.
In addition, Russia has lost at least one cruiser, three amphibious ships, a submarine and a supply ship along with several smaller boats since the start of the war.
Many of these ships have been targeted in Crimea while in dry dock – the remaining missile frigates and corvettes must constantly avoid Ukrainian missiles, drones, unpiloted boats and saboteurs.
The Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles can be particularly devastating to Russian ships – the 2,900-pound missiles carry a tandem warhead to blow through the hull of a ship before detonating inside.
With a range of 155 miles, Ukraine’s jets can easily target Crimea from relative safety.
While Ukrainian forces have suffered setbacks during their months-long counteroffensive, Kyiv appears to have been much more successful in degrading Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Ukraine possesses no major warships of its own, instead launching precision strikes and amphibious raids to attack Russian naval assets.
