Smoke emerging from a Russian vessel in the roadstead of Sevastopol, Crimea, sparked confusion among some locals.
Initial reports circulating on the popular Crimean Wind Telegram channel suggested the ship had exploded.
Pictures showed thick black smoke rising from the vessel, believed to be a patrol ship part of the 22160 Project.
The suggestion shared on the messaging platform was reinforced by locals claiming to have heard an explosion.
A message on the channel read: “The sound of the explosion was felt by our subscribers in the centre of Sevastopol, on the north side, in the area of Streletskaya Bay and Kamyshovaya Bay.”
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But new pictures from a different angle appear to show the vessel intact. Nevertheless, smoke does seem to be rising from the ship’s stern.
If not connected to an attack, the explosion heard may be linked to military exercises being carried out in the area.
Russian mil-blogger Rybar claimed Ukrainian formations attacked the ship, identified as the Pavel Derzhavin. The blogger claimed the rudder remained damaged, and a tug boat had to be sent to provide assistance.
The blogger also wrote: “What is curious about this situation is that the epicenter of the explosion was under water. This may indicate the use of fully submersible unmanned attack boats.”
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Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for any action against this patrol ship and the mil-blogger’s claims could not be immediately verified.
Project 22160 is a series of large patrol ships part of the Russian Navy.
The vessels are primarily used for patrolling, monitoring and protecting areas in open and closed seas.
In early 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Navy appeared to have gained absolute control over Ukraine’s territorial waters in the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov.
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However, in the past months, Kyiv managed to deal heavy blows to the Black Sea Fleet stationing in Sevastopol, effectively pushing Moscow to relocate at least a dozen of its vessels to Novorossiisk, more than 300km away.
Among the recent attacks launched by Ukraine in Crimea, in July Kyiv forces hit with Storm Shadow missiles Kerch Bridge, a link wanted by Vladimir Putin to connect the peninsula to Russia.
On September 22, Kyiv partially destroyed with an effective missile attack the Fleet’s headquarters in Sevastopol.
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