Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirms Caesar Kunikov destroyed off Crimea coast, with most crew presumed dead

Most of the crew aboard the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov perished when it was destroyed off the coast of occupied Crimea, spokesperson for Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), Andriy Yusov reported on Feb. 14.

“While precise numbers have not yet been reported, according to available information, the majority of the crew died,” Yusov said.

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The destruction of the Caesar Kunikov occurred as Ukrainian Special Operations Forces and Armed Forces launched an operation targeting the ship with Ukrainian-made Magura V5 drones near occupied Alupka on Feb. 14. Intelligence reports indicate the ship sustained critical damage to its port side and began sinking as a result of the strikes.

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The vessel typically carries a crew of 87 people, but there is currently no exact count of sailors killed or injured in the attack, said Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Naval Forces.

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The Caesar Kunikov is a large landing ship of Project 775, known for its participation in various military operations, including the KFOR operation in Kosovo in 1999 and support missions for the Syrian army.

Despite Ukraine’s limited naval capabilities, it has managed to destroy or damage over 20 Russian vessels during the nearly two years of full-scale conflict with Russia, showcasing the resilience and effectiveness of the Ukrainian military.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine