The Ukrainian army has claimed a direct hit on a Russian ro-ro it says is being used to carry military equipment for the Putin regime.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said the 6,400-dwt Slavyanin (built 1984) suffered serious damage during an overnight attack on the Crimean port of Kavkaz on 23 July.
The method of attack was not specified. The Kyiv Independent reported that Russia had earlier claimed its forces downed 21 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the Black Sea that day.
Local Telegram channels reported explosions on the peninsula.
Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev was quoted by the Kyiv Independent as saying one person was killed in the Kavkaz raid, with other injuries also reported.
Traffic was halted on the Kerch Bridge connecting mainland Russia with occupied Crimea, Astra reported.
The General Staff said on Telegram: “The occupiers used this ferry to transport railway wagons, motor vehicles and containers for military purposes.
“Slavyanin is the third and last railway ferry that the Russian Federation had in the specified region,” it added.
The ship has been out of range of AIS for 53 days.
The last update showed the ro-ro left Varna in Bulgaria in May, arriving in Kavkaz two days later.
Vital port link
Euromaidan reported the attack was carried out by the Ukrainian Navy, in coordination with other defence forces units.
The port is Russia’s fifth-largest by cargo turnover and is key for transport into the annexed region of Crimea.
The ferry is listed as owned by Anship of Russia, which has been contacted for comment
The ship is insured by Russia’s Ingosstrakh.
