Ukraine war latest: Russian Mangust-class vessel destroyed in Crimea, military intelligence says

Ukrainian forces successfully neutralized a Russian military fast attack craft on May 6, as reported by Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR).

The operation was executed using a Magura V5 multi-purpose sea drone in occupied Crimea during the night.

The targeted Russian vessel was later identified by the agency as a Mangust-class patrol boat, also known as Project 12150.

In recent times, Ukraine has escalated its offensive in occupied Crimea, focusing on Russian military assets in the vicinity of the Black Sea.

According to Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk, Russia had relocated most of its major ships from ports in occupied Crimea after facing effective strikes from Ukrainian forces.

The Mangust-class vessels, valued at approximately $3 million each, serve Russia as versatile high-speed crafts for various operations such as patrolling, countering subversive activities, and search and rescue missions, as stated by the military intelligence agency.

These boats are typically equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station featuring a 14.5 mm machine gun, along with two AGS-17 grenade launchers, one DP-64 grenade launcher, and two Igla and Verba man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS).

The combat operation was carried out by the "Group 13" unit of Ukraine's military intelligence in partnership with the fundraising platform United24 in the Vuzka Bay within the Black Sea.

Previously, Ukraine has successfully eliminated several Russian ships using Magura V5 multi-purpose sea drones, including the landing ship Caesar Kunikov, the Sergei Kotov patrol ship, high-speed Serna and Akula landing crafts, and a Tarantul-class Ivanovets missile corvette.

Furthermore, Ukrainian forces managed to inflict partial damage on the Russian military ship Ivan Khurs utilizing a Magura V5 drone.

On April 21, Ukraine's Navy targeted the Kommuna ship in occupied Sevastopol. This vessel, launched in 1915, holds the distinction of being the oldest ship still in service within the Russian Navy.

Sevastopol, housing Russia's Black Sea Fleet, remains a prime target for Ukrainian missile and sea drone strikes.