According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the submarine was struck on Friday and "sank on the spot." The Ukrainian Defense Ministry also acknowledged the attack, stating that the submarine, which was docked in Sevastopol, was successfully hit and sank as a result.
The Rostov-on-Don is a Kilo II-class submarine, commissioned in 2014, and is capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles. These missiles have been used by Russia to target critical infrastructure in Ukraine, making the submarine a key asset in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Ukraine has previously targeted the Rostov-on-Don, with a reported missile strike in September 2023 causing severe damage. Despite repairs, the submarine was reportedly in operational condition before the latest strike.
The alleged loss of the Rostov-on-Don follows a series of successful Ukrainian operations against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which Kyiv claims has lost over a third of its vessels since the start of the conflict. Ukraine’s innovative use of missile strikes and sea drones has allowed it to challenge Russia's naval dominance, despite not having a significant navy of its own.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the incident, and the claim has not been independently verified. However, reports from Russian sources, including military bloggers, suggest that the ship repair plant where the submarine was docked may have been hit.
The attack on the submarine, along with damage to Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launchers reported on the same day, could further impact Russia's military capabilities in the region. The destruction of these launchers may open up the airspace over Crimea, allowing Ukraine to carry out additional strikes against Russian targets.
