Russian vessel Sergei Kotov destroyed by Ukrainian drones: Details and ship's characteristics

Sergei Kotov destruction: Key points known so far

• The ship sustained five direct hits and is irreparable. According to the Navy, it has sunk. The value of the Sergei Kotov is $65 million.
• This ship project is one of the most advanced in Russia. So far, four such ships have been launched - Vasily Bykov, Dmitry Rogachev, Pavel Derzhavin, and Sergei Kotov. Among them, only Dmitry Rogachev has not suffered damage yet.
• Patrol ships of project 22160, to which Sergei Kotov belonged, are carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles. Russia uses them to terrorize peaceful cities in Ukraine.
• There was a helicopter on the ship, but it's being clarified whether it was Ka-29 or Ka-27. RBC-Ukraine source in intelligence reported that it was likely the Ka-27.
• According to an intercepted conversation of the occupants, they admit that there was a helicopter on board the ship.
• The losses of the Russians include 7 dead and about 6 severely wounded. Another 52 crew members who were on board the ship, the enemy presumably managed to evacuate.

How it was destroyed

The destruction of another enemy target was achieved with the help of maritime drones. As reported by the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, on the night of March 4-5, 2024, a special unit of intelligence (Group 13) attacked the Russian patrol ship Sergei Kotov of the Black Sea Fleet.

The mission, as stated by intelligence, was carried out in cooperation with the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

"As a result of the strike by the Magura V5 maritime drones, the Russian ship of project 22160 Sergei Kotov suffered damage to its stern, right, and left sides. The attack took place in the territorial waters of Ukraine, near the Kerch Strait," the statement reads.

The cost of the sunken ship is approximately 65 million dollars.

What is known about the patrol ship Sergei Kotov

Sergei Kotov is the third serial (fourth in total) patrol ship (corvette) of project 22160. Its base is the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

This ship was launched at the Zatoka shipyard in January 2021. It was named after the Soviet military sailor, and participant of World War II, Counter Admiral Sergei Kotov.

According to publicly available information, sea trials of this patrol ship began in late October 2021. On July 30, 2022, during the full-scale war, it joined the Black Sea Fleet.

There were four such ships in Russia in total - Vasily Bykov, Dmitry Rogachev, Pavel Derzhavin, and Sergei Kotov.

Tactical and technical characteristics

• Speed: 30 knots
• Sailing range: 6 thousand miles at 16 knots
• Autonomy: 60 days
• Crew: up to 80 people
• Displacement: 1300 tons
• Length: 94 meters
• Width: 14 meters
• Draft: 3.4 meters
• It has two main diesel engines with a total power of 34,000 horsepower.

Armament

• 76-mm artillery system AK-176MA,
• multi-channel anti-aircraft missile complex Shtil-1,
• short-range anti-aircraft missile complex 3M-47 Gibka,
• two small-sized remote-controlled anti-sabotage grenade launcher complexes DP-65,
• possible deployment of a Ka-27PS helicopter.

Not the first attack on this ship

This ship has already been under attack by Ukraine. Last year, the Russian Ministry of Defense accused the Ukrainian military of attempting to attack Sergei Kotov with unmanned boats in the Black Sea. At that time, it was reported by Defense Intelligence that the enemy ship had suffered significant damage.

Today, the representative of DI Andrii Yusov told Radio Liberty that the Russian patrol ship was finally destroyed.

"This ship has already been attacked, but it was repaired. Now it cannot be restored. There were casualties and wounded among the crew, but part of the team was evacuated. The number of casualties is being clarified," Yusov said.

Presidential Office and the Armed Forces of Ukraine reacted

The head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, wrote that "the Russian Black Sea Fleet is a symbol of occupation. It cannot be in Ukrainian Crimea."

There was also a reaction from the military. The spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, commented on the new bavovna (explosion ironically - ed.) in occupied Crimea.

"Something is exploding in Crimea within the framework of the laws and rules of war that Ukraine adheres to when a series of events takes place. This is called, in fact, the bavovna season. Fortunately, when it begins, as a new stage has begun since March 1, with the warming, with spring, we can say that our potential is not lost. We have the seeds, and when we sow abundantly, we will reap the harvest. So far, we enjoy the process," she said.