MOD says Russian warship was completely destroyed in strike, despite Moscow's denials

A Russian warship that was hit in a Ukrainian airstrike was completely destroyed rather than just being damaged, the UK Ministry of Defence says.

The MOD explained in its latest intelligence update that the Novocherkassk, a Ropucha-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) had been written off in the Christmas day attack.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted the misleading claims made by Russia regarding the fate of the warship.

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"Russia misled when it claimed Putin's warship Novocherkassk was merely 'damaged' - it has clearly been completely destroyed," said Mr Shapps.

The MOD said the Novocherkassk had been alongside at the port of Feodosia, on the south coast of Russian-occupied Crimea, when it was hit.

"Open-source evidence suggests it is highly likely the vessel was carrying explosive cargo when it was hit, causing a large secondary explosion," it added.

"The incident takes the number of LSTs Russia has lost since the invasion to three: the Saratov sank on 24 March 2022, while the Minsk was functionally destroyed in dry dock on 13 September 2023. Two additional LSTs have likely been damaged."

Russia's defence ministry claimed the Novocherkassk landing ship had been only damaged by air-launched guided missiles.

In preparation for the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian armed forces are thought to have been planning to launch significant amphibious assaults, doubling the number of vessels in the Black Sea.

However, with the full-scale conflict now approaching the end of its second year, these ships have been more commonly employed in providing logistical support.