Ukrainian Navy Strikes Russian Rescue Ship in Crimea

Attack on Kommouna

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed on Sunday that its navy targeted the Russian submarine rescue ship Kommouna in the Black Sea, located in the annexed Crimean peninsula. The ministry reported the incident on the social network X, stating that the ship is now non-operational. The exact extent of the damage is currently under assessment.

Historical Significance of Kommouna

The Kommouna, launched in 1915 and active in both World Wars, holds the title of the oldest military ship still in service globally, according to various military sources. The ship is primarily tasked with high-sea rescues, recovering sunken submarines, or retrieving lost cargo.

Response and Reactions

Ukrainian navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk mentioned that while the specific details of the damage are unknown, the ship is "no longer capable of performing its tasks." He emphasized that such attacks would persist "until the Russians run out of ships or leave Crimea." On the other side, Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol in Crimea, acknowledged that the Russian forces had repelled an anti-ship missile attack. He noted that the attack caused minor damage and a brief fire, which was quickly contained.

Ongoing Developments

Further details and updates on the situation are expected as investigations into the extent of the damage continue.