Loss of Rostov-on-Don submarine will force Russia to reconsider deployment of forces in Crimea
Rostov-on-Don submarine of the Russian Black Sea Fleet (photo: Russian media)
In early August, the Russian Black Sea Fleet submarine Rostov-on-Don was most likely sunk as a result of a Ukrainian attack in Crimea, states the British Ministry of Defense.
British intelligence reports that the attack, which was accompanied by a series of drone strikes, was likely carried out using ATACMS in Sevastopol.
The agency believes that the Russian submarine may not have been fully repaired after the previous attack in September 2023. Given the condition of the boat, it is likely to be more cost-effective to build a new one than to repair the damaged one.
"Although this is a significant morale boost for Ukrainian troops, this is highly unlikely to have any major impact on Russian long-range maritime strikes into Ukraine from the Black Sea Fleet," the report said.
At the same time, British intelligence believes that the attack on the submarine underscores the growing risks to Russian forces in Crimea and is likely to force Russia to reconsider any plans to redeploy significant naval forces to the peninsula.
Ukrainian Armed Forces strike on the Russian Black Sea Fleet
On August 2, the Ukrainian Armed Forces sank the Russian submarine Rostov-on-Don of the Black Sea Fleet in the port of Sevastopol, temporarily occupied by Russia.
According to Defence Express analysts, the destruction of the Rostov-on-Don submarine shows that the Russian troops will not be able to repair their submarines in the Black Sea. Experts believe that the loss of the Rostov could disable four more Russian submarines.
