Ukraine Claims Sinking of Russian Submarine in Crimea

In a significant development, Ukraine's military has announced the sinking of the Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don in Sevastopol, Crimea, marking a potential setback for Moscow in the strategically important region. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that the submarine was struck on Friday, with confirmation of its sinking following on Saturday. If verified, this incident would further underscore Ukraine's ongoing campaign against the Russian navy, which has reportedly lost a third of its Black Sea Fleet. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry celebrated the attack, stating on social media that the submarine "went to the bottom of the Black Sea" as a result of the assault. The General Staff emphasized that this incident illustrates the vulnerability of the Russian fleet within Ukrainian territorial waters, reinforcing their assertion that no area is safe for Russian naval assets. The attack is seen as a crucial part of Ukraine's military strategy, particularly in targeting vessels equipped with Kalibr missiles, which have been used by Russia to strike critical Ukrainian infrastructure. Military analysts have noted the importance of this development, with Cedric Leighton from CNN highlighting the strategic implications of damaging Russian naval capabilities. The Rostov-on-Don had previously sustained significant damage in a Ukrainian missile strike in September 2023 but was reportedly repaired and recently tested in Sevastopol. Ukraine's forces have been increasingly successful in targeting Russian naval assets, with over 20 vessels reportedly disabled or destroyed in recent operations.