British Intelligence describes role of Novocherkassk ship for Russian army

The UK Ministry of Defence reports.

It is noted that Russia probably intended to use its fleet of amphibious assault ships to conduct significant operations and attacks during a full-scale invasion. Therefore, Russia doubled their number in the Black Sea during the build-up to the war.

The intelligence adds that Russia has already lost 3 large ships: Saratov sank on March 24, 2022, and Minsk was actually destroyed in a dry dock on September 13, 2023. Two more submarines have likely been damaged.

"As the war has dragged on, the ships have been more commonly employed in providing logistical support. This is a significant role because it augments the vital and relatively fragile road and rail connection of the Crimean Bridge, which links Crimea to Russia," the intelligence suggested.

The destruction of Novocherkassk landing ship: what is known

On the night of December 26, residents of Feodosia in Russian-occupied Crimea reported loud explosions over the city. Later, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, confirmed the information about the destruction of the Novocherkassk large amphibious assault ship. 

The Air Force also reported that the large landing ship Novocherkassk was attacked by cruise missiles from tactical aircraft at about 2:30 a.m. The Air Force reported it as destroyed.

Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the Southern Defense Forces, said in a telethon that the large detonation was caused not just by fuel or ammunition from the ship itself, but probably by the cargo on board.

Instead, Krym. Realii reported that two Russian warships left Feodosia Bay a few hours after the Ukrainian military struck the port and the Novocherkassk landing ship.

The Russians sent a large group of operatives to Feodosia to investigate the destruction of the Novocherkassk landing ship, Atesh reports.

Later, journalists noticed a large convoy of grain trucks on the Feodosia bypass road after the Ukrainian army attacked the port of Feodosia. It was moving in the direction of Kerch.