Estonia outlines details of Ukrainian attack on Russian missile ship in Baltic Sea
Colonel Aron Kalmus, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Division, which brings together Estonian forces and allied units assigned to it, has described how several Ukrainian drones struck the Naro-Fominsk, a Russian Baltic Fleet corvette, during a large-scale attack on the port of Ust-Luga.
Source: Estonian Defence Ministry briefing; Estonian public broadcaster ERR; European Pravda
Details: The ship was damaged in the strike and could no longer proceed under its own power.
During the attack, Ukrainian drones briefly entered the airspace over southeastern Estonia and Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland, Kalmus said.
"We are talking about minutes, not hours, that they spent over our territory. We were aware of this and monitored the situation," Kalmus said.
He said the drones had been flying too close to the border to be shot down safely. Their debris or the munitions used against them could have crashed in Russia, with all the consequences that could entail.
"Both in terms of Estonia's initial defence capability and within NATO, we approach such actions with extreme caution to avoid escalating the situation," the colonel said.
The Naro-Fominsk was hit during the same attack.
Quote from Kalmus: "It was hit by a significant number of drones. We also know quite precisely how many hit it. I would not go into detail because I would not want to make the other side's job too easy by revealing what we can see and how. But it was hit by more than one, which the Defence Forces would consider chance; more than two, which the Defence Forces would consider a coincidence; and more than three, which the Defence Forces would consider a pattern.
These multiple hits damaged the corvette, and there were deaths and injuries. The corvette initially began moving toward St Petersburg under its own power but later stopped. It could not continue under its own power, and an additional escort vessel arrived, with which the corvette proceeded towards St Petersburg."
More details: Kalmus said this type of vessel was not designed for air defence and had therefore been unable to shoot down the approaching drones. "It is designed for long-range strikes and escort duties. In terms of long-range strikes, we are talking about Kalibr cruise missiles. The class also carries Oniks anti-ship missiles," he added.
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