Weaknesses in Russian Fleet's air defense exposed: Expert analysis on damage to Sergei Kotov corvette

He shared the information on Espreso TV. 

Kovalenko commented on the incident involving the Russian patrol ship, emphasizing that these vessels can have helicopters on board, such as the Ka-29, for example. 

"And this time, the Ka-29 helicopter was on board. As noted by the representative of Ukrainian intelligence, Andriy Yusov, it was planned to place an air system on the ship itself, particularly the Tor-M2 land-based air defense system," he noted.

Following the destruction of the missile cruiser Moskva, Kovalenko argued that the Black Sea Fleet lost its claim as a true fleet, but also its primary naval air defense.

"On Russian warships, they also lost their main naval anti-aircraft defense. Then the Russians began to massively install Tor-M2 systems on the ship at the site where the helicopters were supposed to be located," noted the military expert.

Kovalenko emphasized that the anti-aircraft defense of Russian warships is inadequate and limited.

"So when we talk about strikes with missile weapons or drones, the Russians lack air defense protection," he stated.

• On the night of Tuesday, March 5, Ukrainian military forces, utilizing naval drones, successfully destroyed the Russian Navy's patrol ship Sergei Kotov in the temporarily occupied Crimea. The attack resulted in casualties among the ship's crew.
•  Defense Express provided further details on the sinking of the Russian ship Sergei Kotov.