FACT CHECK: Did Ukraine Destroy A Russian ‘Battleship’?

Elias Atienza | Senior Reporter

A video shared on Facebook claims Ukraine destroyed a Russian “battleship” with “needles.”

Verdict: Misleading

While Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a 17th Russian naval vessel, there is no evidence that this vessel is a “battleship.”

Fact Check:

The Russian Navy has increased its presence in the Black Sea with more ships and submarines, according to Naval News. Meanwhile, South Africa is planning to welcome Chinese and Russian warships off its coast to conduct naval exercises, Fox News reported.

The Facebook video, viewed more than 9,000 times, claims that a Russian battleship was hit recently by Ukrainian “needles.” The preview video claims it was “another unforeseen loss for the Russian Army.”

This claim, though, lacks context and is misleading. It is true that the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed to have destroyed a 17th vessel, according to Navy Recognition. The Ukrainian military, though, has not described it as a “battleship.”

Ukrainian outlet Interfax Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian military “hit a boat of Russian invaders.” Navy Recognition reported that the vessel could have been a Raptor-class patrol boat.

Oryx, a military analysis website that tracks vehicle and material losses in the conflict, has visually confirmed 11 Russian naval vessels destroyed or damaged. WarSpotting, another website that tracks visually confirmed losses in the conflict, lists 12 vessels. There is no evidence of a Russian battleship being recently destroyed. (RELATED: Did Russia Collapse ‘Within Seconds’?)

Ukraine destroyed the Russian cruiser Moskva and a Russian tug boat earlier last year, according to Oryx. It has also destroyed several Russian patrol boats and landing craft, such as on Snake Island.

Misinformation around the Russian-Ukrainian war has been widespread since it started in February 2022. Check Your Fact recently debunked a claim that Russia lost control of Chechen forces.

Elias Atienza

Senior Reporter
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