Russian naval auxiliary ship hit - Russia denies it

Ambiguities as with the frigate "Makarov"

Two Ukrainian officials have claimed that another Russian Navy ship has been hit in the Black Sea. Although the incident is still unconfirmed, the recently delivered aid ship "Vsevolod Bobrov" has reportedly been hit by a Ukrainian attack and has caught fire. It is said to be moving slowly towards Sevastopol. Last week, Ukrainian officials also claimed to have scored a hit on the Russian frigate "Admiral Makarov", the most modern surface combatant of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. However, this has not been confirmed and the "Makarov" was reportedly spotted entering Sevastopol harbour unharmed.

The "Vsevolod Bobrov" is a modern emergency and fleet support vessel that was built at the Severnaya shipyard for the Russian Navy. It was only delivered last August. Her main tasks as a support vessel are logistical support, towing, SAR, hydrographic surveying and underwater operations, including underwater search and rescue. She is equipped with two jib cranes and a DP system for stationing.

Russia on Saturday rejected Ukraine's claim that it had damaged a modern multi-purpose naval vessel in the Black Sea, showing photos of the ship that showed no signs of damage. However, military authorities in the southern region of Odessa said on Thursday that Ukrainian naval forces had attacked the ship "Vsevolod Bobrov" and set it on fire. In an online posting, the Russian Ministry of Defence published photos of the ship that were taken on Saturday in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Crimea. This shows that the ship is not damaged at all.

Be that as it may, none of this can really be verified

Source: maritime executive/gcaptain/ Ljunggren