Destroyed Russian ship Sergei Kotov had helicopter on board, source
There was a helicopter on board the destroyed Russian ship Sergei Kotov, according to RBC-Ukraine sources within the special agencies, and spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk.
Updated. Defense Intelligence added that according to preliminary data, as a result of the attack on the patrol ship Sergei Kotov, which led to the destruction of the vessel, the losses among the crew of Russian occupiers were:
- 7 - fatalities,
- 6 - wounded severely;
- 52 crew members who were on board were likely evacuated by the enemy.
"It seems that the saved and bewildered sailors of the Sergei Kotov will be 'handled' by Russian special services due to the loss of the ship," reports the intelligence.
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According to the source, it is not yet clear whether it was a Ka-29 or Ka-27.
"Most likely, it was indeed the Ka-27. Most of the crew of the ship evacuated - about 50 people. Over 7 dead and about 6 seriously injured," the source added.
Data about a helicopter on board the ship is also confirmed by the Ukrainian Navy.
"Most likely, the losses there are quite serious. This information is being verified. It is one of the most difficult info to verify because, of course, the enemy hides all these losses. By the way, there was supposed to be a helicopter on board as well. So, basically, this is '2 in 1', why pay more," Pletenchuk said.
As he added, the occupiers conducted a search and rescue operation, "some crew members were definitely pulled out of the water, definitely evacuated."
"But considering that these events took place while it was dark, with a low water temperature and the damage that this ship sustained, I cannot say that most of the crew were saved," the spokesperson added.
Attack on the Russian ship Sergei Kotov
On the night of March 4-5, the special unit of Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Group 13, attacked the patrol ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Sergei Kotov. As a result of the strike by the maritime drone Magura V5, the Russian ship project 22160 Sergei Kotov was damaged to the stern, right, and left sides. The attack took place near the Kerch Strait.
The DI published an intercepted conversation of the occupiers after the attack, in which one of the Russians, reporting to his superiors, did not hide the fact that there was "a helicopter on the ship, there was the ship with weapons."