Ukrainian army confirms damage to Russian Askold missile carrier in attack on Kerch shipyard

On the morning of Sunday, November 5, the destruction of one of the most advanced vessels in the Russian Black Sea Fleet, a Kalibr cruise missile carrier, was confirmed by Mykola Oleshchuk, the Commander of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as a result of the previous day's attack on Kerch.

Photo: Mykola Oleshchuk / Telegram

Text on the screenshot: “Confirmed.”

The day before, Ukraine's Strategic Communications Directorate confirmed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had successfully attacked the Zaliv shipyard. 

Ukraine's Strategic Communications Directorate has confirmed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have successfully attacked the Zaliv shipyard. 

"On the evening of November 4, the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully struck at the maritime and port infrastructure of the Zaliv shipyard in occupied Kerch," the statement reads.

On November 6, the military confirmed the damage to the Russian missile carrier Askold and published a photo of the damaged ship.

"According to available information, the ship has sustained significant damage and may not be repairable," the Armed Forces Strategic Communications Directorate said.

Earlier on November 4, the official Telegram channel of the Crimean Bridge reported the traffic shutdown for an indefinite period at 15:35.

"Vehicular traffic on the Crimean Bridge is temporarily blocked. Those who are on the bridge and in the inspection area are asked to remain calm and follow the instructions of transport security officers," the statement reads.

The local edition of Kerch FM, which supports the Russian invaders, reported at 16:26 about the "work of air defense".

The pro-Ukrainian TV channel Crimean Wind shared photos and videos of smoke in the area of the Crimean bridge.

The use of air defense systems in Kerch was confirmed by the Kremlin-controlled head of the occupation administration of the Crimean peninsula, Sergey Aksyonov.

"Air defense systems were deployed in the area of the Butoma shipyard (Zaliv shipyard - ed.) in Kerch, and some of the fragments of the downed missiles fell on the territory of one of the dry docks. There were no casualties," Aksyonov said at 17:05.

A correspondent of the Krym.Realii portal (a project of Radio Liberty) reports from the scene that the sounds of at least two missiles were heard flying over the city of Kerch.