Russian submarine B-237

On 13 September 2023, the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev claimed that Sevastopol Shipyard, belonging to Sevmorzavod, was struck by a Ukrainian "missile attack" at 2 am, causing a large fire. The Russian MoD claimed that ten cruise missiles were fired, with seven shot down. The attack also involved three "maritime drones", which were allegedly all destroyed. The Ministry said, "As a result of being hit by enemy cruise missiles, two ships under repair were damaged". At least 24 people were reported injured. The ships damaged were the landing ship Minsk and the Rostov-na-Donu.[7][8][9][10] Ukraine claimed the two ships were "likely damaged beyond repair", which the Russian government denied and stated they would be repaired and returned to full operational status.[11] Based on open-source imagery, the UK Ministry of Defence has assessed that the vessel has "likely suffered catastrophic damage".[12]

On 18 September, two images were leaked online of the damage dealt to the Rostov-na-Donu and, as assessed, the damage was extensive. Two large breaches in the hull of the submarine are shown, one around the midpoint of the starboard side to the rear of the conning tower and another on the top bow.[13][14] Due to the nature of the damage, it is assessed that the submarine will be out of action for the duration of the war due to the closure of the Dardanelles Straits to all foreign warships at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in accordance with the terms of the Montreux Convention.[15] The submarine would need to be transported to the Admirality Shipyards in Saint Petersburg to be repaired, however it is assessed to be more practical for an entire new boat of the class to be constructed instead due to the extensive repairs that would be required to make the submarine seaworthy again.[16]