Russian landing ship Novocherkassk
{{Short description|Russian Navy landing ship}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = БДК «Новочеркасск».JPG | Ship caption = Novocherkassk in port at Novorossiysk in 2010 }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = Russia | Ship flag = {{Shipboxflag|Russia|navy}} | Ship name = Novocherkassk | Ship namesake = Novocherkassk | Ship ordered = | Ship awarded = | Ship builder = Stocznia Północna, Gdańsk, Poland | Ship original cost = | Ship yard number = 142 | Ship way number = | Ship laid down = | Ship launched = 17 April 1987 | Ship sponsor = | Ship christened = | Ship completed = | Ship acquired = | Ship commissioned = 30 November 1987 | Ship decommissioned = | Ship maiden voyage = | Ship in service = | Ship out of service = 26 December 2023 | Ship renamed = | Ship reclassified = | Ship refit = | Ship struck = | Ship reinstated = | Ship homeport = | Ship identification = | Ship motto = | Ship nickname = | Ship honours = | Ship fate = Destroyed at Feodosia, Crimea | Ship status = | url = | Ship notes = | Ship badge = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = {{sclass2|Ropucha|landing ship}} | Ship type = | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement = *{{Convert|3450|t|LT|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} standard | Ship length = {{Convert|112.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{Convert|15.01|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{Convert|4.26|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = | Ship hold depth = | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = Over bows and at stern | Ship power = 3 × {{Convert|750|kW|0|abbr=on}} diesel generators | Ship propulsion = 2 × {{Convert|9600|hp|0|abbr=on}} Zgoda-Sulzer 16ZVB40/48 diesel engines | Ship speed = {{Convert|18|kn|lk=in}} | Ship range = *{{Convert|6000|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{Convert|12|kn}}
| Ship endurance = 30 days | Ship boats = | Ship capacity = 10 × main battle tanks and 340 troops or 12 × BTR APC and 340 troops or 3 × main battle tanks, 3 × 2S9 Nona-S SPG, 5 × MT-LB APC, 4 trucks and 313 troops or 500 tons of cargo | Ship troops = | Ship complement = 98 | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = * 2 × AK-725 twin {{Convert|57|mm|in|abbr=on}} DP guns
| Ship armour = | Ship aircraft = | Ship aircraft facilities = | Ship notes = }} {{Infobox service record | is_ship=yes | label= | partof= | codes= | commanders= | operations= | victories= | awards= }} |
The ship was attacked twice during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, being damaged in March 2022, and attacked again in December 2023.{{cite web |title=Russian naval ship in Crimea damaged in airstrike by Ukrainian forces, Russian Defense Ministry says |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-navy-ship-crimea-3d558083dcd765d8b9daccc461865b21 |website=AP News |access-date=26 December 2023 |language=en |date=26 December 2023 |archive-date=26 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226212702/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-navy-ship-crimea-3d558083dcd765d8b9daccc461865b21 |url-status=live }} In the second attack, the Ukrainian Air Force fired cruise missiles at the ship while the ship was at a naval base in Feodosia, Crimea. While Russian officials admitted the ship was damaged, Ukrainian Air Force officials said that the ship sustained extensive damage due to secondary explosions which would make repairs difficult.{{cite news |last1=Osborn |first1=Andrew |last2=Hunder |first2=Max |date=2023-12-26 |title=Ukraine strikes Russian naval landing warship, Moscow admits damage |website=reuters.com |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-carries-out-air-assault-crimeas-port-feodosia-2023-12-26/ |access-date=2023-12-26}}{{Cite web |last=Lendon |first=Brad |date=2023-12-26 |title=Ukraine claims it destroyed Russian tank landing ship |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/26/europe/ukraine-claims-russian-tank-landing-ship-destroyed-intl-hnk-ml/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226073155/https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/26/europe/ukraine-claims-russian-tank-landing-ship-destroyed-intl-hnk-ml/index.html |archive-date=2023-12-26 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=CNN |language=en}} The UK Ministry of Defence assessed the ship as "completely destroyed",{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2023 |title=Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 28 December 2023 |url=https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1740303419720511972 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228000000/https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1740303419720511972 |archive-date=December 28, 2023 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=Twitter |publisher=UK Ministry of Defence}} [https://nitter.net/DefenceHQ/status/1740303419720511972 Alt URL] and the UK Defence Secretary said the ship's destruction showed "Russia’s dominance in the Black Sea is now challenged."{{Cite web |last=Arhirova |first=Hanna |date=2023-12-26 |title=Ukraine damages a Russian landing ship in the Black Sea after battlefield disappointments |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-navy-ship-crimea-3d558083dcd765d8b9daccc461865b21 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229125134/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-navy-ship-crimea-3d558083dcd765d8b9daccc461865b21 |url-status=live }} Subsequent satellite imagery and photographs attributed to Crimean observers showed that the ship suffered extensive damage and was partially submerged in port after the attack.{{Cite web |last1=Gigova |first1=Radina |last2=Picheta |first2=Rob |last3=Murphy |first3=Paul P. |date=2023-12-28 |title=Satellite images show Russian navy ship burning after Ukrainian strike in Crimea |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/28/europe/novocherkask-russia-navy-ship-damage-images-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228173456/https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/28/europe/novocherkask-russia-navy-ship-damage-images-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2023-12-27 |title=Full Devastation From Cruise Missile Attack On Russian Ship Comes Into View |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/full-devastation-from-cruise-missile-attack-on-russian-ship-coming-into-view |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=The Drive |language=en}}
Description
Novocherkassk had a standard displacement of {{cvt|3450|t|LT}}, a length of {{Convert|112.5|m|ftin}}, a beam of {{Convert|15|m|ftin}}, and a draft of {{Convert|3.7|m|ftin}}. It had two diesel engines which gave a maximum speed of {{convert|17.8|kn|lk=in}}, and a range of {{convert|6000|nmi}} at {{convert|12|kn}}. It was armed with two AK-725 57 mm artillery mounts and two 122 mm multiple rocket launch systems.{{Cite web |title=Large landing ship "Novocherkassk" project 775 / II |url=http://www.korabli.eu/galleries/oboi/voennye-korabli/novocherkassk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630015331/http://www.korabli.eu/galleries/oboi/voennye-korabli/novocherkassk |archive-date=30 June 2016 |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=Korabli}}{{cite web |title=Ropucha Class (Project 775 Class) Russian Landing Ship, Tank (LST) |url=https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Ropucha_Class_(Project_775_Class)_Russian_Landing_Ship,_Tank_(LST) |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=OE Data Integration Network (ODIN) |publisher=U.S. Army |archive-date=29 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229180442/https://odin.tradoc.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Ropucha_Class_(Project_775_Class)_Russian_Landing_Ship,_Tank_(LST) |url-status=live }}
It was capable of carrying up to 500 tons of cargo and 225 embarked soldiers. Additionally, the ship could hold 10 main battle tanks, while the ship deck was able to hold 25 armored personnel carriers. In normal operating situations it had a crew of 87.{{Cite news |last1=Vynck |first1=Gerrit De |last2=Ilyushina |first2=Mary |date=December 26, 2023 |title=Ukraine attacks Russian landing ship in Crimean port |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/26/novocherkassk-russia-landing-ship-attacked/}}
History
The ship was launched on 17 April 1987. In November of the same year, the ship was included in the Soviet Navy's Black Sea Fleet.{{cite web | url =https://kp.ua/politics/a682219-unichtozhenie-novocherkasska-pochemu-sredi-rossijan-eto-vyzvalo-isteriku|title=Уничтожение «Новочеркасска»: почему среди россиян это вызвало истерику|work=Komsomolskaya Pravda| language=Russian|date=26 December 2023| accessdate =1 January 2024}} The ship was stationed at lake Donuzlav. Before the dissolution of the Soviet Union the ship participated in various military exercises. In 1990–2007 it has been under conservation. In 2002, the ship was renamed to Novocherkassk, after the city that took patronage over it.
In November 2012, Novocherkassk took part in an operation with other Black Sea Fleet ships in anchoring off the coast of Gaza. The ship movement was ostensibly to prepare to evacuate Russian citizens from Israel in case the Israeli–Palestinian conflict there escalated. Other ships in the operation included Saratov and {{ship|Russian cruiser|Moskva||2}}.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Michael B. |title=Russia Sends Warships Off Coast Of Gaza In Response To Israel-Palestine Tensions |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-sends-warships-off-coast-of-gaza-2012-11 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923020523/https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-sends-warships-off-coast-of-gaza-2012-11 |url-status=live }} In 2015, Novocherkassk was a part of Black Sea Fleet exercises in the Mediterranean which corresponded with a Russian buildup of military forces in Syria.{{Cite web |date=2015-09-24 |title=Russian Black Sea Cruiser Moscow, Amphibs Heading to Drill in Eastern Mediterranean, MoD Warned Planes Away from Syria |url=https://news.usni.org/2015/09/24/russian-black-sea-cruiser-moscow-amphibs-heading-to-drill-in-eastern-mediterranean-mod-warned-planes-away-from-syria |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=USNI News |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923020523/https://news.usni.org/2015/09/24/russian-black-sea-cruiser-moscow-amphibs-heading-to-drill-in-eastern-mediterranean-mod-warned-planes-away-from-syria |url-status=live }}
In March 2020, the ship set out for Syria, with sister landing ship {{ship|Russian ship|Tsezar Kunikov||2}} and frigates {{ship|Russian frigate|Admiral Grigorovich||2}} and {{ship|Russian frigate|Admiral Makarov||2}}, in response to growing tensions with Turkey and the withdrawal of American troops from Syria.{{Cite news |date=2020-03-04 |title=Russia reinforces Syria before Putin-Erdogan talks - flight and shipping data |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-russia-idUSKBN20R2QP |access-date=2022-09-23 |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923020523/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-russia-idUSKBN20R2QP |url-status=live }} The ships' movement spurred concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus from and to Russia.{{Cite web |last=Sutton |first=H. I. |date=2020-03-24 |title=The Russian Navy's Bosphorus Relay Resupplying Syria Continues |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/03/the-russian-navys-bosphorus-relay-resupplying-syria-continues/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=Naval News |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616084009/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/03/the-russian-navys-bosphorus-relay-resupplying-syria-continues/ |url-status=live }}
= Russian invasion of Ukraine =
In March 2022, roughly a month into Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Novocherkassk was docked in the port of Berdiansk in southern Ukraine with a number of other Russian warships. A Ukrainian missile attack on 25 March damaged several Russian ships there, sinking Saratov and damaging Novocherkassk.{{Cite web |author1=Mezzofiore, Andrew |author2=Carey, Tim |author3=Lister, Celine |author4=Alkhaldi, Olga |author5=Voitovych, Gianluca |date=2022-03-24 |title=Ukrainians claim to have destroyed large Russian warship in Berdyansk |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/24/europe/ukraine-russian-warship-berdyansk-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131051608/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/19/after-the-victory-ruined-city-of-okhtyrka-clings-to-hope-of-brighter-future |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Vakil |first=Caroline |date=2022-03-25 |title=Ukrainian military clarifies which Russian landing ship it destroyed |url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/599736-ukrainian-military-clarifies-which-russian-landing-ship-it-destroyed/ |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923022025/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/599736-ukrainian-military-clarifies-which-russian-landing-ship-it-destroyed/ |url-status=live }} By June 2022, Russian state media outlet TASS claimed that Novocherkassk was one of twelve landing ships in the Black Sea that could launch an amphibious operation in Ukraine. However, Novocherkassk was not confirmed to be repaired, and its status remained unknown.{{Cite web |first=Michael|last=Starr|title=Large Russian naval landing force ready for 'intended tasks' - report |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-708516 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=3 June 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923020524/https://www.jpost.com/international/article-708516 |url-status=live }} On 24 August 2022 it was reported Novocherkassk and sister ship Tsezar Kunikov were out of action due to lack of spare parts to repair the ships. The lack of spare parts was attributed to the sanctions imposed on Russia.{{cite news|url=https://mash.ru/news/156607 |website=mash.ru |title=Польша поставила России контрафактные детали для десантных кораблей |date= 2022-08-24 |language=ru |trans-title=Poland supplied Russia with counterfeit parts for landing ships |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828161046/https://mash.ru/news/156607 |archive-date=2022-08-28 |url-status=live}}
Ukrainian air force spokesmen stated that afterwards the ship was used heavily for logistics to transport weapons and soldiers from Russia to the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. After the Kerch Bridge attack, Russia looked for alternative means to supply Crimea, with large landing ships such as the Novocherkassk being key.{{Cite news |last=Waterhouse |first=James |date=2023-12-27 |title=Ukraine war: Does attack on Russian ship make a difference? |language=en-GB |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67826487 |access-date=2023-12-31 |archive-date=2023-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230065436/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67826487 |url-status=live }}
== December 2023 strike ==
On 26 December 2023, Novocherkassk was struck by Ukrainian cruise missiles while it was in a naval base in the city of Feodosia in Russian-occupied Crimea. Ukrainian Air Force released a statement saying that they believed the ship was used to transport Iranian-made attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to Ukraine's Air Force the vessel suffered secondary explosions and will be difficult to repair. Videos posted to social media show very large explosions seen at the Feodosia port after the attack. Andrii Klymenko, the head of the Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies analyzed video of the attack and told The New York Times: "Judging by the video of the explosion, which was very powerful, it was carrying explosives: either shells or missiles, or, as some people say, drones".
Russian officials confirmed the attack, and claimed that one person was killed and two injured by a fire in the city started by the attack, while describing the ship as damaged.{{Cite news |last=Méheut|first=Constant |date=2023-12-26 |title=Ukrainian Missile Strike Hits Russian Warship in Occupied Crimea |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/world/europe/ukraine-crimea-russia-warship-novocherkassk.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2023-12-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226103051/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/world/europe/ukraine-crimea-russia-warship-novocherkassk.html |url-status=live }} {{subscription required}} Russian officials also claimed that two Ukrainian Su-24s were shot down by anti-aircraft fire during the attack, which Ukraine denied. Satellite imagery taken by the company Maxar after the strike showed extensive damage to the ship, with the ship partially submerged alongside its pier, with billowing smoke coming from it.
However, other sources claimed much higher Russian casualties. The Ukrainian Navy claimed that 80 Russian personnel had been killed, while Russian opposition news outlet Astra reported that there were 77 Russian military personnel aboard the ship at the time of the strike, of whom 33 were missing and 19 were wounded. Later, on 29 December, a Ukrainian hacker group claimed that 74 Russian soldiers were killed, while 27 were wounded.{{Cite web |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023 |title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 27, 2023 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230084442/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-hackers-intercept-email-saying-ukraines-strike-on-novocherkassk-ship-killed-74-russian-soldiers/ |title=Ukrainian hackers claim Ukrainian strike on Russian ship killed 74 soldiers |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-30 |archive-date=2023-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230115336/https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-hackers-intercept-email-saying-ukraines-strike-on-novocherkassk-ship-killed-74-russian-soldiers/ |url-status=live }} A Russian memorial site lists the names of 34 Russian sailors who were killed.[https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/11/15/memorial-reveals-34-russian-sailors-died-in-novocherkassk-2023-ship-sinking/ "Memorial reveals 34 Russian sailors died in 2023 Novocherkassk ship sinking"], Euromaidanpress (November 15, 2024)
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy released a statement about the attack saying: "I am grateful to our Air Force for the spectacular replenishment of the Russian Black Sea submarine fleet with another vessel. There will be no peaceful place for the occupiers in Ukraine". President of Russia Vladimir Putin was informed of the strike via the Russian Defense minister Sergey Shoigu. U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps wrote that he believed the destruction of the ship was proof there was not a stalemate in the conflict, and that "over the past 4 months 20% of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been destroyed. Russia’s dominance in the Black Sea is now challenged.”
The attack is part of a series of attacks on Russian ships, designed to constrain their ability to move troops and materials from Russia to occupied sections of Ukraine.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ropucha class landing ship}}
{{2022 shipwrecks}}
{{2023 shipwrecks}}
{{Russian invasion of Ukraine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Novocherkassk}}
Category:Maritime incidents in 2022
Category:Maritime incidents in 2023
Category:Ships of the Russian Navy
Category:Ships of the Soviet Navy
Category:Shipwrecks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Category:Ships sunk by aircraft
Category:Ropucha-class landing ships
Category:Southern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Category:Ships built in Gdańsk