Ukraine Army turns Russian tugboat into ‘floating bonfire’, 70% of crew members hit

The relevant statement was made by the South Operational Command on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“In the Black Sea, as a result of the accurate work of different defense units in southern Ukraine, the enemy fleet has lost its tugboat Vasiliy Bekh, which delivered ammunition, weapons and rashist personnel to Snake Island. Despite having the Tor surface-to-air missile system on board, the tugboat was turned into a floating bonfire. According to the preliminary data, 70% of crew members were hit. The fate of the rest is unknown. Enemy vessels are attempting to conduct a rescue operation,” the report states.

According to the South Operational Command, the situation in the operational zone is remaining tense but stable. Russian troops continue to conduct hostilities along the defense lines. Meanwhile, the enemy did not create new attack groups and did not take active actions.

The Russian military continue to fire missiles at Mykolaiv. In the morning of June 17, 2022, two enemy cruise missiles hit two districts of Mykolaiv. Apartment blocks, private cars, industrial and production facilities were damaged. Reportedly, one civilian was killed and six injured, including a child. Rescue works are underway.

In addition, this morning Mykolaiv Region’s Shyrokove community and Bereznehuvate community have come under enemy fire. Information about casualties and the damage caused is yet to be checked.

Last night two civilians were injured in Russia’s shelling of Parutyne, Mykolaiv Region. In the Shevchenkove district, three household buildings caught fire after Russia’s shelling.

In Kherson Region, the situation is remaining tense in the temporarily occupied settlements of Beryslav District. Continuous hostilities, destroyed houses, ruined social infrastructure, mine-infested fields, roads and bridges – these are the effects of the ‘Russian world’ in the most of settlements in such communities as Vysokopillia, Novovorontsovka, Kalynivka, Velyka Oleksandrivka, etc.

Meanwhile, when completing fire missions, the Ukrainian rocket and artillery units eliminated 36 Russian troops and destroyed eight enemy armored and motor vehicles.

One Russian submarine, two missile ships and three large landing crafts are staying in the northwestern part of the Black Sea and, thus, the threat of missile strikes is persisting.

mk