Open-source investigators said the frigate was one of three Russian ships to have been hit on Saturday. A swarm of drones - some flying in the air, others skimming rapidly along the water - struck Russia's navy at 4.20am. Video from one of the sea drones shows the unmanned vehicle weaving between enemy boats.
Ukrainian officials said it was unclear if the Admiral Makarov was badly crippled, or had escaped with light damage. Unconfirmed reports said its hull was breached and radar systems smashed. Social media recorded loud explosions in the southern part of Sevastopol. A Russian navy school is located nearby.
The ministry of defence in Moscow said Ukraine used nine air and seven sea drones, several of which were intercepted, including by a Russian helicopter. It made no mention of the Admiral Makarov. The ministry admitted there was "minor damage" to a minesweeper, the Ivan Golubets.
Yesterday, Moscow said the drones had been recovered and were being analysed. The ministry said they were equipped with Canadian-made navigation modules. It blamed Britain for the attack and said a Royal Navy unit masterminded operations from the southern Ukrainian port of Ochakiv. Britain has dismissed this.
This story is from the October 31, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the October 31, 2022 edition of The Guardian.
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