Ukrainian Intelligence Hits Invaders’ Ships

10 November, 2023 A Russian Project 1176 craft in the sights of a Ukrainian naval drone, November 10, 2023. Photo credits: DIU Ukrainian maritime drones hit Russian landing ships near occupied Crimea.

The video was released by the press service of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. During a night operation on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Ukrainian military damaged two landing craft: Project 1176 Akula and Project 11770 Serna. The released video shows a group of drones attacking the Russian Project 1176 craft at night.

After the first successful hit, a second drone recorded extensive damage and a punctured ship's side on camera. The next drone hit the same spot, presumably widening the hole.

At the time of the attack, the vessels were reportedly carrying armored vehicles, including BTR-82s, in addition to the crew.

D-106 landing craft of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, June 7, 2023

It is known from open sources that at the time of the invasion, the Russians had two Project 11770 landing craft in the Black Sea. However, one of them was severely damaged in June 2022, during the fighting for Zmiinyi (Snake) Island. At the same time, the Black Sea Fleet also had two Project 1176 ships, the D-106 and D-295 landing craft.

War at sea

Small landing craft of the Russian Black Sea Fleet were actively used during the occupation of Zmiinyi Island to transfer military equipment and troops.

In addition, the Russians deployed Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile systems on board the craft to cover their ship grouping.

The use of ships of this class as improvised carriers of anti-aircraft and artillery weapons is a normal practice and is practiced during exercises.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka fires from a landing craft of Project 11770 Serna

As previously reported, just this week, the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed the Russian Askold corvette in Crimea with a missile.