Explosions rained down on Russia’s Black Sea fleet in Crimea yesterday as footage reportedly showed the Russian flagship ship damaged in a drone attack.
Extraordinary onboard footage shows what are thought be two explosive-packed Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV) in action, as it closes in on a ship resembling the Admiral Makarov, Russia's naval flagship.
Other video clips show the night sky being lit up by the explosion with fire and smoke rising from several locations around the base.
Mikhail Razvozhayev, the governor of the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, blamed a “massive” Ukrainian drone attack for fires that broke out in the city’s sprawling naval base.
Russia responded by suspending its participation in a UN-brokered agreement allowing Ukrainian exports of grain through its ports on the Black Sea.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Zelensky, accused Russia of inventing “fictitious terrorist attacks” on its own facilities and of “blackmailing” Ukraine by withdrawing from the grain deal.
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, said Russia was using a “false pretext” to block the grain corridor.
A swarm of drones were seen flying in the air and skimming rapidly along the water before they struck Russia’s navy at 4:20 am.
Unconfirmed reports said the Makarov's hull was breached and radar systems smashed, which if true would be another huge blow for the Russians after the pride of its fleet, the 600ft Moskva, was sunk in a missile attack earlier this year.
The Kremlin claimed the ship had sunk in stormy weather after being damaged by exploding munitions, but Russia subsequently withdrew its vessels to safer waters.
Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal could have a significant impact on already rising food prices around the world and UN Secretary-General António Guterres is engaged in “intense contacts” aimed at bringing Russia back to the deal.
Ukraine is a major producer of grain and the export deal makes sure Ukrainian agricultural products can reach international markets.
“Any act by Russia to disrupt these critical grain exports is essentially a statement that people and families around the world should pay more for food or go hungry,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement late Saturday.
“In suspending this arrangement, Russia is again weaponizing food in the war it started" he continued.
The attack comes as Ukrainian troops successfully retake territory occupied by Russian troops since they launched their invasion at the start of February.
Russia has replied by launching large-scale attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, particularly on the country's energy grid, which has plunged millions into darkness and cold.
