British Intelligence assesses impact of destroying Russian ship Sergei Kotov

Over the past five weeks, Ukrainian forces have successfully sunk three Russian military ships, further restricting the freedom of movement of the Russian Black Sea Fleet

The UK Ministry of Defense reported the information.

The mnistry reminds that on March 5, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine reported the elimination of the Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov near the Kerch Strait in the eastern part of the Black Sea.

It  noted that Ukrainian naval drones Magura V5 sank Sergei Kotov. Drones of the same type were also used in the attack on the Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov on February 14, 2024.

According to the British Ministry of Defense, Sergei Kotov only joined the Black Sea Fleet in July 2022. Previously, it was attacked by a UAV in July and September 2023, sustained minor damage, and in both cases returned to service soon after.

British intelligence emphasizes that this is the third ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet to sink in the last five weeks.

“Likely because of Black Sea Fleet losses, on 15 February 2024, the Black Sea Fleet Commander, Admiral Victor Sokolov, was dismissed.Ukraine continues to limit the freedom of manoeuvre of the Russian Navy in the Black Sea,” the British Ministry adds.

• On the night of Tuesday, March 5, Ukrainian servicemen attacked Sergei Kotov, the patrol ship of the Russian Navy in the temporarily occupied Crimea. There are dead and wounded among the crew.
• The Main Intelligence Directorate later reported that at least 27 crew members were injured as a result of the attack on Sergei Kotov.