Russian Warship Erupts in Flames at Sevastopol Naval Base in Occupied Crimea

A Russian Navy anti-submarine vessel caught fire in the occupied city of Sevastopol, Crimea, on November 3, according to the monitoring channel Krymsky Veter.

The incident reportedly took place in Sevastopol’s Sukharnaya Bay, where witnesses filmed thick smoke rising from a moored ship.

Initial footage did not allow clear identification because the vessel’s superstructure was covered with camouflage nets. Later, observers confirmed it was a small anti-submarine ship of Project 1124-M, also known as Albatros-M, according to Krymsky Veter on November 3.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet operates four vessels of this class—Muromets, Suzdalets, Kasimov, and Yeysk—built between 1982 and 1989. Two were relocated to the Novorossiysk naval base in 2024, while the remaining ships stayed in Sevastopol.

It remains unclear which of them was involved in the fire or whether the incident resulted from an attack, a technical failure, or another cause.

Project 1124-M ships are designed for coastal anti-submarine warfare, protecting naval bases, and escorting other vessels. In 2018, these ships were upgraded with modernized RBU-6000 Smerch-2 rocket launchers capable of firing new anti-submarine munitions.

If confirmed, the damage to one of these vessels would further strain Russia’s already reduced anti-submarine capabilities in the Black Sea. The Russian occupation authorities have not issued any official statements about the extent of the damage or possible casualties.

Earlier, on October 27, a massive floating crane under construction—PK-700 Hryhoriy Prosyankin—capsized at the Sevastopol Marine Plant, killing two and injuring at least 20. The incident occurred during lifting operations, with eyewitnesses reporting multiple workers falling into the water. Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into maritime safety violations.

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