Kyiv [Ukraine], December 16: The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) announced on December 15 that it had attacked a Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea, causing serious damage and disabling the vessel.
CNN reported on December 16th, citing a statement from the SBU, that the attack on the Russian submarine was carried out using an unmanned underwater vehicle called "Sub Sea Baby," and that this was the first attack of its kind carried out by Ukraine . Video released by the SBU showed a large explosion in a port area.
"Due to the explosion, the submarine suffered serious damage and is no longer operational," according to the SBU.
According to the SBU, the attacked submarine was a Kilo-class vessel, capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, with a maximum of four missiles per launch.
Meanwhile, Russia acknowledged that the attack was carried out by Ukraine, but stated that the enemy's operation had failed and no warships or submarines were damaged.
"The enemy's sabotage attempt using underwater drones has failed," TASS quoted Alexei Rulev, head of the press department of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, as saying. Rulev also denied reports from Ukraine that a Russian submarine had been destroyed at the Novorossiysk naval base.
A ceasefire is now becoming a possibility.
In a related development, US President Donald Trump said on December 16 (Vietnam time) that the parties are closer than ever to an agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine, amid proposals from European leaders to create a "multinational force" to enforce a potential peace deal.
The statement was made in the context of key European powers meeting in Berlin, Germany, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to promote efforts toward ending the hostilities.
"I think we're closer than ever before," AFP quoted President Trump as telling reporters in the Oval Office, adding that he had had "very long and very positive conversations" with Zelensky and other leaders, including those from Britain, France, Germany, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Security guarantees from the US, such as Article 5 of NATO.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed optimism, stating that the talks had created "an opportunity for a genuine peace process," while praising the US for providing "significant" security guarantees.
Following the meeting, European countries issued a statement outlining the points of agreement reached between European leaders and US officials.
Accordingly, the Ukrainian military should continue to receive extensive support and maintain its peacetime force at approximately 800,000 soldiers.
Peace will also be ensured through a "US-led ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism," tasked with detecting violations and "providing early warning of any future attacks."
US officials warned Ukraine that it needed to accept the agreement, which they said provided security guarantees similar to NATO Article 5, the provision that considers an attack on one member as an attack on the entire alliance.
Russia has not commented on the above information.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
