Russian Warship Blasted to Bits in Ukraine Attack, Dozens of Sailors Missing
The aftermath of a fierce attack on a Russian warship in Crimea has left dozens of sailors missing and the vessel completely destroyed, according to reports from local media and anonymous sources.
The Novocherkassk, a landing ship in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, was targeted in a missile strike on December 26, resulting in a massive explosion and the ship being completely blasted to bits. Fragments of the British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles were found at the scene, with the ship “completely burned and sank,” according to independent outlet Astra.
Authorities have confirmed that 23 people on board the Novocherkassk were injured in the attack, with an additional 33 sailors deemed missing without a trace. Russian defense officials have only acknowledged that the warship was “damaged” while ignoring the fate of the sailors, sparking outrage and suspicion.
Footage capturing the missile strike showed a massive explosion, sparking a fire that set off munitions on board. The Russian-backed head of Crimea, Sergie Aksyonov, said one person died and two others were injured after the attack prompted a fire.
Retired captain from the Russian Navy, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that “everyone who was on board at the time of the blast most likely died,” as the powerful explosion of ammunition seemed to destroy the hull, causing the remains of the ship to sink instantly.
Authorities have insisted there were no injuries among the crew, with the ship’s commander, Nikolai Stepanenko, quoted telling Agentstvo: “Nobody’s injured, everything’s great.” However, the true extent of the casualties and missing sailors remains unclear.
While Russian authorities have tried to play down the fallout of the attack, the devastating loss of the warship and the fate of the missing sailors have raised concerns and questions about the true impact of the attack and the transparency of information from Russian defense officials.