On the night of December 26, in the occupied Feodosia (Crimea), a large Russian landing ship, 'Novocherkassk,' was destroyed.
Commander of the Air Force Mykola Oleshchuk confirmed the hit by cruise missiles, and images capturing a powerful detonation on board circulated on social media.
The large Russian landing ship 'Novocherkassk' was directly part of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.
This Project 775 ship was built in Poland during the Soviet era and commissioned in 1987. From 1990 to 2007, 'Novocherkassk' was in conservation. Only after that period was it reintegrated into the active Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.
It is known that this ship had standard characteristics for Project 775 large landing ships, namely:
- Deadweight: 4080 tons
- Length: 112.5 meters
- Width: 15 meters
- Crew + landing and cargo capacity: 87 persons + up to 300 persons, up to 460 tons of cargo.
As explained by the spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, the specificity of large landing ships lies in their constant use by the Russian forces as logistical objects, transporting important cargo. They cannot afford alternative routes due to the danger, such as the Crimean Bridge.
"Remember that they have difficulties with the use of the infamous Kerch Bridge and other transport-logistic routes. Therefore, it is quite likely that it was a kind of 'Christmas present' for them. Fully loaded," said Humeniuk during a telethon.
On the night of December 25, the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykola Oleshchuk, announced the destruction of the large landing ship 'Novocherkassk' located in Feodosia.
He wrote on his Telegram channel that the Russian fleet is diminishing.
"This time, following the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the cruiser 'Moskva,' the large landing ship 'Novocherkassk' is heading our way. Thanks to the pilots of the Air Force and all those involved for their meticulous work!" - wrote Oleshchuk.
Later, in the press service of the Air Force, it was added that the attack took place around 02:30 on December 26.
"Tactical aviation of the Air Force attacked with cruise missiles the large landing ship 'Novocherkassk' of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the area of Feodosia. The result is 'clearly visible,' " the military wrote.
