Azov (BDK-54) is a of the Russian Navy and part of the Black Sea Fleet. Named after the Sea of Azov, the ship was built in Poland and launched in 1989.
In 2021, it was reported that Azov was a part of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, stationed in Crimea, participating in amphibious warfare training.[1] In June 2022, Azov was among the Black Sea Fleet vessels reported to be operational and available for amphibious landings in the Black Sea by Russian sources.[2]
On 24 March 2024, the Ukrainian general staff and open-source intelligence sources reported that Azov and her sister ship were hit by cruise missiles while they were in their home port of Sevastopol.[3] [4] Eyewitnesses reported explosions during the night.[5] The recent satellite images did not reveal any damage, showing that the missile hit the pier next to the ship presumably due to the electronic warfare system.[6] [7]