Overview

• Ukraine's drone strike near Crimea resulted in the sinking of Russia's Caesar Kunikov, a key vessel in Moscow's Black Sea Fleet.
• The attack, confirmed by British intelligence, signifies a shift in maritime momentum, severely impacting Russia's logistical support in the region.
• Admiral Viktor Sokolov, commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, was reportedly sacked following the loss of the Caesar Kunikov and a third of the fleet's warships.
• Ukraine's strategic use of naval drones has increasingly constrained Russia's naval operations in the Black Sea, deterring Moscow from operating freely.
• The sinking of the Caesar Kunikov is seen as a major victory for Ukraine, especially ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.