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Moment Ukrainian drones hit $65million Putin warship, causing ‘significant damage’ in fireball explosion as bridge linking Crimea to mainland ‘also comes under attack’

This is the astonishing moment one of Putin’s most modern warships was ‘hit and sunk’ by a devastating Ukrainian drone strike overnight.

The $65mn Sergey Kotov, which only came into service in 2022, was reportedly struck by an exploding kamikaze sea drone attack near Feodosia, in occupied Crimea.

Footage purports to show the moment of the major explosion in darkness close to the coast.


The vessel normally has a crew of 80 – and the fate of those on board remains unclear.

Andriy Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff, said on Telegram on Tuesday that ‘The Russian Black Sea Fleet is a symbol of occupation. It cannot be in the Ukrainian Crimea,’ in an apparent reference to the attack.

It came as the £3mn Crimean Bridge – the main connecting link between Russia and the annexed territory – also fell under sustained attack, causing at least nine hours of traffic disruption.

Footage purports to show the ship under fire in Crimea, the latest blow to the Russian fleet

Footage purports to show the ship under fire in Crimea, the latest blow to the Russian fleet

Footage purports to show the ship under fire in Crimea, the latest blow to the Russian fleet


A large explosion in the direction of the Sergey Kotov, reportedly under drone fire

A large explosion in the direction of the Sergey Kotov, reportedly under drone fire

A large explosion in the direction of the Sergey Kotov, reportedly under drone fire

Image shows the Sergey Kotov patrol ship, a 308-ft warship that entered service in 2022

Image shows the Sergey Kotov patrol ship, a 308-ft warship that entered service in 2022

Image shows the Sergey Kotov patrol ship, a 308-ft warship that entered service in 2022

File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His £65mn warship was reportedly hit in Crimea

File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His £65mn warship was reportedly hit in Crimea

File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin. His £65mn warship was reportedly hit in Crimea

Ukrainska Pravda, a major Ukrainian media outlet, reported on Tuesday that a Russian Project 22160 patrol ship Sergei Kotov had been hit with watergoing uncrewed craft overnight.


A Ukrainian intelligence source said the 308-ft patrol vessel was ‘hit’ and ‘sustained damage’.

The Ukrainian intelligence agency said on Telegram messaging app that its special unit Group 13 attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait.

‘As a result of a strike by Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship Project 22160 Sergey Kotov sustained damage to the stern, starboard and port sides,’ it said. 

The message added that the ship was worth about $65 million.


Ukraine’s military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov said the ship had been hit previously but was destroyed after the overnight attack by maritime drones.

‘As for the crew, the details are being clarified. There are dead and wounded. But it is likely that some of the crew managed to evacuate,’ he told Ukrainian media.

There was no official response from the Russian defence ministry.

The Magura V5 was used in the sinking of the Caesar Kunikov Russian amphibious ship last month, according to Ukrainian intelligence.


Measuring just 18ft, the unmanned boats costing around £215,000 are capable of delivering a payload of up to 200kg (440lbs) over an operating range of 400km (250 miles).

The attack overnight came as the Crimean Bridge, the main transport connection to Russia, also sustained damage.

The £3 billion crossing was closed to traffic for at least nine hours but Russian sources denied the structure was damaged.

At least five ‘powerful explosions’ were heard in Kerch, at the Crimean end of the 12-miles road and rail crossing.


Nine trains were blocked – four from Crimea and five to the peninsula, reported RIA Novosti state news outlet.

While there was no official confirmation from the Russian side on the Sergey Kotov, pro-war outlets on Putin’s side admitted loss of the vessel.

‘As a result of an attack by unmanned boats of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Black Sea Fleet patrol ship of project 22160 Sergey Kotov was lost,’ reported Russian Telegram channel Military informant.

‘The crew is alive,’ they said without providing evidence.


A Magura V5 autonomous vehicle, reportedly used in the attack on the Sergey Kotov overnight

A Magura V5 autonomous vehicle, reportedly used in the attack on the Sergey Kotov overnight

A Magura V5 autonomous vehicle, reportedly used in the attack on the Sergey Kotov overnight

Image shows the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia to the occupied territory in Ukraine

Image shows the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia to the occupied territory in Ukraine

Image shows the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia to the occupied territory in Ukraine

Footage purportedly of the Kerch Bridge in Crimea under fire after an attack in October 2022

Footage purportedly of the Kerch Bridge in Crimea under fire after an attack in October 2022

Footage purportedly of the Kerch Bridge in Crimea under fire after an attack in October 2022

As the war enters its third year, Ukraine has sought to expand its provision of ‘gamechanging’ seaborne drones to counter Russian attacks in Crimea.


‘Naval drones are a constant need,’ a spokesperson for official fundraiser UNITED24 told MailOnline last month.

‘Since February 24, Russia has fired over 4,500 missiles at Ukraine, with 20% launched from the sea. After losing 80% of its fleet in 2014 due to Crimea’s occupation, Ukraine had no means to counter these attacks.

‘However, on October 29, 2022, naval drones marked a turning point by damaging three Russian vessels, including the flagship Admiral Makarov, in a historic first attack carried out exclusively by unmanned vessels.’

They said the small and fast unmanned surface vehicles had ‘quickly changed the course of naval warfare’ and allowed Ukraine to ‘bury… Russian arrogance’.


Ukraine’s air force said earlier Tuesday it had downed 18 of 22 Iranian-designed attack drones launched by Russia over the Black Sea port city of Odesa.

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