Fresh humiliation for Putin after Russian navy sinks their own ship

The Russian President has been left red-faced again over reports his navy commanders have blown up one of their own ships in a friendly fire fiasco.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been left red-faced again amid reports his Russian navy commanders have blown up one of their own ships in a friendly fire fiasco.

It’s believed a D-106 landing craft exploded when it accidentally hit a Russian sea mine near Mariupol, in the Black Sea.

Although the embarrassment is likely tempered by claims by Moscow has taken city of Lysychansk in the Donbas giving it control over virtually all of the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.

According to a Telegram channel related to the Russian navy: “Near Mariupol, a landing craft of the Black Sea Fleet D-106 blew up on a mine”.

Another user called it a ”special under water operation”.

It’s reported that the crew survived the incident.

There was little sympathy shown for the Russians on social media.

One Ukrainian sneered: “Waiting for a confirmation of this suicidal goodwill gesture.”

While another commenter wrote: “Woohoo, The Russians are gonna help clear the mines in the Black Sea, they’re off to a great start.”

A landing craft of the Black Sea Fleet D-106 hit a mine, according to a Telegram post related to the Russian navy.

It’s far from the only setback the Black Sea Fleet has experienced. Back in April its flagship, the Moskva, was sunk by Ukraine when it was hit by two R-360 Neptune missiles.

The Russian navy is made up of four fleets – Pacific Fleet, Northern Fleet, Baltic Fleet and Black Sea Fleet.

Russia living in fear

The embarrassment comes after another setback for Putin, with Russia announcing it was leaving Ukraine’s Snake Island.

The island, located 120 kilometres from Ukraine’s southern coast in the Black Sea, is in a key strategic position and Russia said it has pulled its forces as a “goodwill gesture” to allow Kyiv to export agricultural products.

The announcement came after Ukraine launched several raids on Russians forces on the island, and it has been celebrated as a victory for the nation.

Snake Island in the Black Sea. Picture: AFP/Planet Labs PBC

“I thank the defenders of Odessa region who took maximum measures to liberate a strategically important part of our territory,” Valeriy Zaluzhny, Ukraine's military’s commander-in-chief, said on Telegram.

“Unable to withstand the fire of our artillery, missile and air strikes, the occupiers left Snake Island.”

Meanwhile, CNN has reported that assassination attempts have been carried out against three pro-Russian officials in the past fortnight, indicating a growing resistance movement in southern Ukraine, which is partially occupied by Russia.

Originally published as Fresh humiliation for Putin after Russian navy sinks their own ship