Russian landing ship Azov explained

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.

History

Russian invasion of Ukraine

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Russian Black Sea Fleet's marines go on alert in Crimea drills . TASS . 19 April 2021 . 26 March 2024.
  2. Web site: Russian Navy's task force of 12 large landing ships on duty in Black Sea – source . TASS . 2 June 2022 . 26 March 2024.
  3. News: Ukrainian Armed Forces hit two large Russian landing ships in Sevastopol . 24 March 2024 . 2024-03-24 . Hromadske.
  4. News: Ukraine war: Two Russian landing ships hit off Crimea, officials say . 24 March 2024 . 2024-03-24 . BBC News .
  5. Web site: Azov and Yamal Landing Ships of russian Black Sea Fleet Damaged During Ukrainian Massive Attack on Temporarily Occupied Crimea . Defense Express . 24 March 2024 . 26 March 2024.
  6. Web site: Военный Осведомитель . Military Informant . 24 March 2024 . 2024-03-25 . T.me.
  7. Web site: X.com .