The number of fatalities from Russia’s strike on a Ukrainian Navy vessel on Aug. 28 has increased to two, Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk announced during the United News telethon program.
“Sadly, we now have a second fatality. Search and rescue operations are ongoing,” Pletenchuk said.
“We will, of course, find all our missing personnel—there are several of them. Several servicemen were also injured, but the majority of the crew has been safe since yesterday.”
He neither confirmed nor denied reports that the vessel sank as a result of the attack and declined to provide further details.
On Aug. 28, it was reported that Russian forces had attacked a Ukrainian Navy vessel, resulting in one crew member’s death and several injuries.
Russian propaganda Telegram channels claimed the target was the Ukrainian Navy’s reconnaissance ship Simferopol, but no official confirmation of the vessel’s type has been provided.