Ukrainian warship Konstantin Olshansky stripped by Russian forces in Crimea
Ukrainian landing warship Konstantin Olshansky (photo:flickr.com)
In Sevastopol, Russian forces looted the Ukrainian Navy's large landing ship Konstantin Olshansky, which was seized during the occupation of Crimea in 2014. Only the hull of the vessel remains, according to Crimean Wind.
As reported in the public channel, the vessel was allegedly placed "for repair" at the 13th Ship Repair Plant of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Kilen Bay. However, only the hull of the ship remains.
"Only the hull of the ship is essentially left. There are no watertight doors, the portholes are missing their seals, and the interior is empty. The tank compartment cover on the bow is missing, and the ramp is also gone," the message states.
It has been repeatedly reported earlier that Russian forces are using Konstantin Olshansky as a "donor" for spare parts, which are removed for the repair of similar Project 775 large landing ships in service with the Russian Navy.
In the published photos, it is evident that the ship has been almost completely looted, and its restoration is likely impossible.
After years of looting, Konstantin Olshansky has turned into an empty hull (photo: t.me/Crimeanwind)
The large landing ship Konstantin Olshansky belonged to the Ukrainian Navy and was one of the largest ships of this class in the fleet.
It was built in Poland in 1985 as part of Project 775. The ship was designed to transport naval infantry, military equipment, and cargo, as well as to land troops on an unequipped shoreline.
After the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Konstantin Olshansky joined the Ukrainian Navy and participated in numerous international exercises, including NATO maritime security operations. It became one of the symbols of the Ukrainian fleet.
Capture by Russian forces in Crimea
During the occupation of Crimea in March 2014, the large landing ship Konstantin Olshansky, along with six other Ukrainian vessels, was blockaded in Donuzlav after Russian forces scuttled several of their old ships to obstruct the exit.
On March 20, Russian forces issued an ultimatum demanding that they switch sides to Russia's, but the crew of Konstantin Olshansky refused and remained loyal to their oath. Ukrainian sailors held their defense together with the minesweeper Cherkasy.
On March 24, around 200 Russian servicemen stormed and seized the ship. Before that, the crew managed to turn off the engines and electronics, preventing the boat from falling into enemy hands while still operational.
Since autumn 2014, the vessel has been berthed at a Russian Black Sea Fleet facility in Sevastopol.
On March 24, 2024, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Konstantin Olshansky with a Neptune anti-ship cruise missile. Dmytro Pletenchuk, the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Navy, officially confirmed this.
