By KYIV. Dec 28 (Interfax-Ukraine) – British intelligence analyzed the consequences of the destruction of Novocherkassk ship, noting that the Russian Black Sea Fleet uses such ships as support and addition to the “relatively fragile” road and rail connections of the Crimean Bridge.
“On 25 December 2023, the Russian Navy’s Ropucha class Landing Ship Tank (LST) Novocherkassk was completely destroyed following a Ukrainian strike while alongside at the port of Feodosia, on the south coast of Russian-occupied Crimea… It is highly likely the vessel was carrying explosive cargo when it was hit, causing a large secondary explosion,” according to a report published on Thursday on X of the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
As noted, with the loss of Novocherkassk, 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 likely planned to use its LST force to launch significant amphibious assaults during the invasion and it doubled the number of these vessels in the Black Sea during the build-up to the war, according to the report.
However, as noted in British intelligence, as the war has dragged on, the ships have been more commonly employed in providing logistical support. “This is a significant role because it augments the vital and relatively fragile road and rail connection of the Crimea Bridge, which links Crimea to Russia.”
