Ukraine’s Increased Attacks in Crimea Target Russian Combat Capabilities

Ukraine reportedly targeted another Russian naval vessel docked in the Black Sea, which is home to a significant Russian fleet. This development comes after Russia claimed to have thwarted an attack on one of its naval ships in Crimea, following Ukraine's military strikes on two ships undergoing repairs at the headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that around 5 a.m. local time, the Russian navy intercepted and destroyed five Ukrainian maritime drones that were apparently approaching the Sergey Kotov, a patrol ship stationed in the Black Sea. It's worth noting that Russia had previously used the Sergey Kotov for patrolling the Black Sea after withdrawing from a deal that permitted Ukraine to use the waterway for grain shipments. As of now, there has been no immediate response from Ukraine, and the Russian claims have not been independently verified.

The attack by Ukraine on Wednesday was one of the most audacious moves against Russia's military infrastructure in Crimea, a region that Russia invaded in 2014 and subsequently annexed illegally. Since that time, Russia has established bases and supply routes on the Crimean Peninsula, which is connected to Russia by a single bridge. These facilities were used by Russia to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, and they have been used to launch missiles and drones targeting Ukrainian civilians.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has escalated its targeting of the Kerch Strait Bridge, naval installations, military facilities, and ammunition depots in Crimea through the use of drones and missiles.

Tensions in the Black Sea region have been on the rise since mid-July when Russia terminated an agreement allowing Ukraine to transport grain through its territory. Russia has taken aggressive actions against Ukrainian ports, grain facilities, and civilian infrastructure along the Black Sea and has even issued threats against any foreign vessels in the area.

In a separate incident, Russia claimed to have shot down 11 Ukrainian drones heading towards Crimea overnight. While videos on social media purportedly show explosions in various areas in Crimea, including Yevpatoriya, northwest of Sevastopol (Crimea's largest city), their authenticity could not be immediately confirmed.