By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) – The Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that it shot down two Ukrainian fighter jets during an attack on its landing warship Novocherkassk in the Black Sea, killing one person and injuring two others.
The ministry said in a statement that two Ukrainian Su-24 fighter jets were shot down during the attack without giving details on how much damage was done to one of the biggest vessels of the Russian Navy during the battle.
Separately, Crimean authorities said that six buildings were hit in the attack and that the port was closed due to the battle and its consequences.
Ukraine, for its part, stated that it destroyed the Novocherkassk landing warship.
"And the fleet in Russia continues to shrink! Thanks to the Air Force pilots and everyone involved for the filigree work!" the commander of Ukraine's air force, Mykola Oleshchuk, said on Telegram.
Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.