In yet another strike on Ukraine, Russia military attacked Kyiv’s largest ship Simferopol with a drone strike and sank it, the Russian Defence Military said on Thursday. The ship was said to be the largest commissioned by Ukraine in over a decade. The video of the attack was also shared by the military and the same is going viral on social media.
The Laguna-class, medium-sized ship, which would basically be used for radio, electronic, radar, and optical reconnaissance, was struck in the delta of the River Danube by a sea drone fired by Russia, RT reported. Part of the River is located in Ukraine’s Odessa Region, it added, citing the statement.
Russia’s first ever use of a sea drone
The strike was Moscow’s first ever attack using a sea drone to target a Ukrainian Navy vessel, reported IANS, citing TASS news agency of Russia. Ukraine also confirmed the attack. Local news outlet, Kiev Independent, stated that the drone attack killed one crew member and injured multiple others, the Kiev Independent wrote on Thursday.
The report cited a Ukrainian Navy spokesperson and said, “Efforts to address the aftermath of the attack are ongoing. The majority of the crew are safe, and the search for several missing sailors continues.”
💥SUNK: Ukrainian Recon Ship WIPED OUT By 🇷🇺 Unmanned Boats At The Mouth Of The Danube
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) August 28, 2025
The drone-like boats had been used during July Storm exercises. Ukrainian Armed Forces have acknowledged the loss of the Simferopol vessel.
📹: 🇷🇺 MoD pic.twitter.com/ZKdL2PCdLC
The Simferopol was launched in 2019 and according to the WarGonzo Telegram channel, the ship became a part of the Ukrainian Navy two years later.
Russia has recently increased its production of naval drones, and other unmanned systems to dominate the Ukraine conflict. Kyiv too has used drones to target key areas in Moscow and other cities several times.
Apart from the attack on the ship, Russia also targeted a major drone facility in Kyiv with two missiles hitting the location overnight, Ukrainian politician Igor Zinkevich claimed on Thursday, RT reported.
Where is the Ukraine-Russia conflict heading?
US President Donald Trump early this month met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the Ukraine conflict in Alaska. He then met the leaders of European countries and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take the war to its end.
A meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin is likely soon, as Trump eyes to stop the war to show off his peace making skills.
(With agency inputs)