Ukraine claims to have sunk a Russian attack submarine after carrying out long-range strikes on Moscow-controlled Sevastopol.
In a statement on Telegram, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said a B-237 Kilo-class submarine belonging to Russia’s Black Sea fleet was successfully hit by Kyiv’s missile forces.
As a result of the impact, the submarine “sank on the spot.”
Kyiv said the destruction of the enemy submarine proves that there is no safe place for the Russian fleet in the territorial waters of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian defense ministry also celebrated the achievement on X, commending its “warriors” for sinking the submarine.
“The Black Sea fish will enjoy [its] new home,” it wrote.
A Persistent Target
Russia’s Kilo-class submarine has been a major concern for Kyiv as it can launch Kalibr cruise missiles.
It was believed to have played a major role in massive missile attacks on Ukraine earlier this year.
As a result, the submarine has been a persistent target for Ukrainian forces, one being severely damaged in a strike on September 13 last year.
Moscow was reportedly able to repair the submarine and move it deeper into a port to avoid further attacks.
But Ukraine’s attacks apparently paid off, causing Russia to lose an approximately $300-million underwater asset.
Increasing Long-Range Strikes
Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russia have intensified after Kyiv’s Western allies allowed it greater freedom to use their donated weapons.
A recent attack on Russian-occupied Crimea reportedly damaged an enemy S-400 air defense system.
The Ukrainian military also said it carried out overnight attacks in the Belgorod, Kursk, and Rostov regions, hitting oil depots, storage facilities, and an ammunition depot.
In June 2024, Moscow admitted that a US-supplied ATACMS missile reached Crimea, killing four people and wounding dozens more.