The Russian navy failed to cover itself in glory during the war in Ukraine. The Black Sea Fleet suffered a major setback when its flagship, the Moscow, was sunk by Ukraine in April after being hit by two R-360 Neptune missiles. The cruiser became the largest Russian warship sunk in wartime since the end of World War II and the first flagship to sink since the 1905 Russo – Japanese War.
Now it appears that Russian naval commanders have further tarnished their reputations after inflicting a spectacular own purpose.
Reports indicate that a Black Sea Fleet landing craft was blown up after hitting a Russian mine near Mariupol.
Twitter user “English Luhansk” wrote: “Russian navy-related Telegram channel reports that the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s Ondatra-class landing craft D-106 hit a Russian naval mine near occupied Mariupol, calling it a ‘black day’ mention.
Social media users have shown little sympathy with the fate of the vessel and its crew as they quickly add their own thoughts on the incident.
One wrote: “Woohoo, the Russians are going to help clean up the mines in the Black Sea, they have a good start.”
While a second said: “It hit a Russian mine … good job.
“Russian ship begins to mine their own mines.”
The Russian navy consists of four navies – Pacific Fleet, Northern Fleet, Baltic Fleet and Black Sea Fleet.
In addition, it also has one flotilla patrolling the Caspian Sea.
The navy offers strategic deterrence through its nuclear capabilities, as well as homeland defense.
Before hostilities broke out in Ukraine, the Russian navy had about 130,000 personnel and about 32 large surface vessels.
READ MORE: Russian soldiers abandon ‘remnant’ tank after devastating Ukraine strike
Russian military sources say it will take at least a year for Admiral Kuzetsov to rejoin the navy.
A report in the Russian state media TASS said: “The transfer of the Admiral Kuznetsov cruiser to the navy after modernization and all subsequent state tests will not take place earlier than in 2024.”
It comes as fighting continues in Ukraine’s Donbas, where Russian forces are trying to take the city of Lysychansk.
The British Ministry of Defense said in its daily bulletin that Putin’s army had made “little progress” around the city.
However, the MoD noted that Ukrainian forces “are likely to continue to block Russian forces in the southeastern suburbs of Lysychansk”.