Victorious news of 721st day of war: Russian warship targeted, Canada allocates $44 to enhance F-16 capabilities for Ukrainian Air Force

Ukraine sinks Russian large landing ship Caesar Kunikov

The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) reports that the Russian ship was targeted by Magura V5 maritime strike drones off the coast of the temporarily occupied Crimea near the city of Alupka. The ship received critical damage to its left side and sank.

"It is symbolic that the Russian officer after whom the ship was named was killed exactly 81 years ago," the Defense Intelligence wrote.

Later, the military intelligence clarified that "according to a preliminary visual assessment of the ship's draft, the Caesar Kunikov was loaded at the time of the sinking." According to Ukrainian intelligence, at the time of the attack, the amphibious assault ship was carrying a load of ammunition. 

Pavlo Lakiychuk, Captain First Rank of the Ukrainian Navy Reserve, believes that in addition to the 60 crew members of the Caesar Kunikov, there could have been marines on board who were supposed to participate in exercises of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Germany to increase supplies of shells to Ukraine

In 2024, Berlin will spend 3.5 billion euros on the purchase of ammunition.

According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Germany will be able to "increase the supply of artillery to Ukraine by 3-4 times this year compared to 2023". The minister noted that Germany is increasing its own ammunition production, as well as buying it and production lines abroad.

He noted that Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer brought a €100 million aid package during his recent visit to Kyiv. The minister did not provide details. During this trip, Breuer also had the opportunity to meet the new commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Canada allocates $44 million to equip Ukrainian Armed Forces with F-16s

Canada is allocating 60 million Canadian dollars (about USD 44 million) for the defense of Ukraine. This was stated by Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair at a regular meeting in the Ramstein format, the press service of the Canadian government reports.

"This donation will support the setup of a sustainable F-16 fighter aircraft capability in Ukraine. Specifically, the funds will help source vitally needed F-16 supplies and equipment such as spare parts, weapons stations, avionics, and ammunition," the statement said.

It is noted that the contribution will complement Canada's previously announced support for the coalition's F-16 training for Ukraine.

Ukrainian soldiers target two Russian self-propelled howitzers

The soldiers of the 14th Detached Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great continue to successfully destroy the equipment of the Russian forces. The video was posted on the brigade's page.

"Gifts for your loved ones can be like this if you are Slavko from the Prince's Brigade and you have FPV drones. Two pieces of enemy 2S19 self-propelled artillery systems have been destroyed!" the video caption reads.

The 14th Detached Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great is a unit of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was formed on 1 December 2014 from the disbanded 51st Mechanized Brigade and newly mobilized soldiers.