Ukraine sinks Russian warship, secures international defense aid

Feb 1

Ryan Robertson Anchor

By Ryan Robertson (Anchor), Zachary Hill (Video Editor), William Jackson (Producer)

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In a significant escalation of its limited naval capabilities, Ukraine has successfully targeted and sunk the Russian missile ship “Ivanovets” in the contested waters of the Black Sea. The move underscores the ongoing intensity of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia over Crimea.

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According to Ukraine’s top intelligence officials, the operation was executed using unmanned naval drones that delivered “direct hits to the hull” of the Ivanovets, leading to its capsizing and subsequent sinking.

Military intelligence has also released video footage, which they claim showcases the moment of impact followed by a significant explosion, though these claims have not been independently verified. The incident marks a critical setback for Russia, which has yet to officially respond.

Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said on its Telegram channel that the loss of the Ivanovets was valued at around $70 million.

Ukraine has been actively seeking to bolster its naval forces. The British Royal Navy’s recent announcement to decommission two warships has caught the attention of Ukraine’s naval commander, who expressed keen interest in these vessels for Ukraine’s fleet, which is currently devoid of warships.

“The sooner the armed forces have the necessary battle capabilities and certain capabilities to destroy the enemy’s infrastructure facilities, the sooner we will win,” Vice Adm. Oleksiy Neizhpapa, commander of the Ukrainian Navy, told Sky News.

The U.K. has emerged as a major ally to Ukraine, not only in terms of training but also through the provision of advanced weapons, long-range missiles, tanks and increased naval capabilities. Last month, the U.K. Ministry of Defense confirmed the transfer of two Sandown-class minehunter ships, 20 Viking amphibious vehicles and 23 raiding craft.

Today it was announced that the UK and Norway will co-lead a Maritime Capability Coalition that will offer a blueprint for the development of Ukraine’s Navy. The re-building effort has begun with the UK providing new ships and equipment.
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— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 11, 2023

This support is part of a broader international backing for Ukraine, with European Union leaders agreeing to a three-year, $54 billion support package, set to begin disbursements as early as March. The package is aimed at supporting Ukraine’s defense and recovery efforts amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Tags: European Union, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine aid, Ukraine Defense Ministry, United Kingdom

[RYAN ROBERTSON]

UKRAINE’S TOP INTELLIGENCE GROUP SAYS IT DESTROYED ANOTHER RUSSIAN MISSILE SHIP. THIS TIME IT WAS THE ‘IVANOVETS’ IN THE HIGHLY CONTESTED BLACK SEA.

THERMAL VIDEO SHOWS 3 NAVAL DRONES APPROACHING THE RUSSIAN WARSHIP AND EXPLODING ON IMPACT. MINUTES LATER THE “IVANOVETS” CAPSIZED AND SANK .

ACCORDING TO INTELLIGENCE SOURCES THE SHIP IS VALUED AT AROUND $70 MILLION. SO FAR — MOSCOW HAS YET TO RESPOND TO THE INCIDENT.

UKRAINE’S BEEN SCORING SOME MAJOR VICTORIES IN THE BLACK SEA SINCE RUSSIA TOOK OVER CRIMEA.

IN 2022, USING NEPTUNE MISSILES UKRAINE TOOK DOWN THE FLAGSHIP OF RUSSIA’S BLACK SEA FLEET, THE ‘MOSKVA.’

THEN, AROUND CHRISTMAS IN 2023, UKRAINIAN FORCES SANK THE RUSSIAN LANDING SHIP ‘NOVOCHERKASSK,’ WHICH COULD CARRY 400 TROOPS.

OVERALL — OFFICIALS REPORT THEY’VE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED NEARLY 30 RUSSIAN WARSHIPS — AND PULLED ALL THIS OFF WITHOUT HAVING WARSHIPS OF THEIR OWN. UKRAINE’S SECRETARY OF SECURITY, OLEKSIY DANILOV SAYS

OLEKSIY DANILOV | SECRETARY OF THE SECURITY AND DEFENSE COUNCIL OF UKRAINE

“Of course, we would prefer a more favorable situation regarding the liberation of our territories. However, parallel to these efforts, substantial events unfolded in the Black Sea, resulting in the loss of 20% of the Russian Federation’s fleet.”

[RYAN ROBERTSON]

WHILE UKRAINE’S ARMED FORCES ARE MANAGING TO TAKE ON A MUCH LARGER NAVAL FLEET, THEY’RE STILL IN THE HUNT TO BUILD UP THEIR OWN. JUST THIS MONTH,THE BRITISH ROYAL NAVY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO DECOMMISSION TWO WARSHIPS – IN RESPONSE UKRAINE’S NAVAL COMMANDER TOLD SKY NEWS THEY WOULD GLADLY TAKE THE SHIPS — REMEMBER THEY HAVE NO WARSHIPS OF THEIR OWN.

VICE ADM. OLEKSIY NEIZHPAPA | COMMANDER, UKRAINIAN NAVY

“The sooner the armed forces have the necessary battle capabilities and certain capabilities to destroy the enemy’s infrastructure facilities, the sooner we will win.”

[RYAN ROBERTSON]

THE UK HAS BEEN A MAJOR ALLY TO UKRAINE – OFFERING NOT JUST TRAINING BUT ALSO ADVANCED WEAPONS LIKE LONG-RANGE MISSILES AND TANKS. THEY’RE EVEN BOOSTING UKRAINE’S NAVAL CAPABILITIES BY SENDING OVER TWO SANDOWN-CLASS MINEHUNTER SHIPS, 20 VIKING AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES, AND 23 RAIDING CRAFT.

ALL THIS SUPPORT COMES AS EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS AGREED TO A 3-YEAR, $54 BILLION SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR UKRAINE THURSDAY. PAYMENTS COULD BEGINS AS SOON AS MARCH.