The Ukrainian Navy has released a satellite image of the destroyed Russian FSB vessel ‘Izumrud’
The Ukrainian Navy has published a satellite image which, according to their information, confirms the destruction of the Russian border patrol vessel *Izumrud* near the quay wall.
The Navy stated that it is continuing to reduce the Russian aggressor’s capabilities at sea.
Earlier, the Ukrainian military reported that the Russian FSB vessel had been struck by a Sargan 3000 unmanned maritime system near Novorossiysk. According to the Navy, there are fatalities and injuries amongst the crew. The exact number was not specified.
A satellite image released shows that the vessel has sustained significant damage and has partially sunk into the water near the quay. Traces of a fire are also visible on the pier next to the vessel.
The ‘Izumrud’ is a Project 22460 ‘Okhotnik’ border patrol vessel. It was launched in 2014. Ships of this class were designed to patrol territorial waters and were equipped with a helicopter deck, an automatic artillery mount, portable anti-aircraft missile systems and machine guns.
This vessel holds particular significance for the Ukrainian military. It was the *Izumrud* that, on 25 November 2018, took part in the attack on a Ukrainian Navy task force in the Kerch Strait. At that time, Russian security forces blocked the small armoured artillery boats ‘Berdyansk’ and ‘Nikopol’, as well as the harbour tug ‘Yani Kapu’. During the attack, the *Izumrud* rammed the Ukrainian tugboat, after which Russian troops opened fire, wounding Ukrainian sailors and seizing them along with their vessels.
Following these events, Ukraine accused Russia of violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the agreement on cooperation regarding the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait. Twenty-four Ukrainian sailors were released on 7 September 2019, and Russia subsequently returned the seized vessels.
According to the Ukrainian Navy, the strike on the ‘Izumrud’ was the latest operation aimed at reducing the combat capability of Russian forces at sea.
