As Ukrainian soldiers, facing overwhelming odds, strive to repel brutal Russian offensives on land, Ukraine announced on Wednesday that its forces had dealt a significant blow to the Russians at sea.

The military reported sinking a large Russian landing ship off the coast of Crimea in the early hours, unveiling footage of the strike.

The targeted vessel, identified as the 360-foot-long landing ship Caesar Kunikov, marks the fourth-largest landing ship disabled in the conflict, potentially complicating Russia’s logistical operations in southern Ukraine.

While the veracity of Ukraine’s claims remains unconfirmed, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, when questioned about the attack, hailed Ukraine’s efforts in the Black Sea as a “great achievement.”

He noted that Ukraine had managed to inflict substantial losses on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, DNYUZ reported.

According to Ukrainian officials and military analysts, Russia has seen a reduction of more than a third of its fleet since the commencement of the war.

Russia has chosen not to comment on the reported attack.

Written by B.C. Begley