Ukrainian troops hit Black Sea Fleet minesweeper in Crimea

19 May, 2024 Kovrovets minesweeper in 2015. Photo from the network The Ukrainian Defense Forces hit a Project 266-M Kovrovets minesweeper of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

The press service of the Navy of Ukraine reported on this. The ship was destroyed on May 19, 2024. According to Russian sources, the damage occurred as a result of a combined attack.

According to unofficial sources, the strike was carried out using drones and ATACMS ballistic missiles. The press service of the Ukrainian Navy did not report what exactly hit the ship.

"Last night, the Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed the Russian Black Sea Fleet's Project 266-M Kovrovets minesweeper. The Ukrainian Navy, together with their comrades, continue to bring us closer to Victory," the statement reads. According to local Telegram channels, the ship was hit at the Kurinaya Wharf in Sevastopol.

Some buildings were also damaged as a result of the strike. It should be noted that the Kovrovets is a Project 266-M minesweeper, which was built for the USSR Navy between 1970 and 1979. The ship has a total displacement of 800 tons and is armed with mine and torpedo weapons, and sonar to search for and destroy mines.

Photo from the network

It can also be used to install 32 BB-1 anchor mines or 7 KMD-1000 anchor mines. On the night of May 18-19, six drones hit an oil refinery in the city of Slavyansk-on-Kuban. Local residents share that several explosions were heard, but no major fire broke out after the explosions.

In turn, Russian media reported that the plant suspended its operations after the drone attack.

Also, a massive explosion was recorded at an oil depot in Vyborg, Leningrad Oblast.

According to official information, a so-called 'pyrotechnic explosion' took place on the territory of the oil depot, causing a fire.