[The Orsk unloading at the port a few days ago as seen on Russian TV. Ukrainian officials said the attack on the Orsk had further symbolic value, suggesting that it may have taken part in Russia's original capture of Crimea in 2014, pointing to medals apparently awarded to the ship's commander and a crewman. (Photo from The Sun)]

 A Russian landing ship has been destroyed and two other boats have been damaged in the occupied Ukrainian port city of Berdyansk, say, Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian military posted footage early on Thursday and said the Orsk had been hit by its forces, BBC reported.
 
Details of what caused the explosion and fire onboard the ship are unclear. Berdyansk, which is west of the besieged port of Mariupol, was seized four days after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia says it has used the port as a base to ferry equipment for its troops. Russian army TV hailed the arrival of the Orsk in Berdyansk last week as an "epic event" as it was the first Russian warship to dock there. Drone footage filmed by Russian state TV reporter Murad Gazdiev showed an armored personnel carrier being offloaded from the Orsk in the port. The armored vehicles were to be used to reinforce Russian troops; the TV report added.
 
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar told Ukrainian TV that the military had hit a "huge target", capable of carrying 20 tanks, 45 armored vehicles, and 400 troops. Meanwhile, the BBC cannot independently verify the claim. Earlier this week Gazdiev, who works for Russia-backed media outlet RT, reported that Ukrainian missiles had repeatedly targeted Berdyansk port, and every missile had been intercepted by Russian anti-air defense.