Additional Coverage:
- A massive fire on a Russian warship was set by a saboteur fighting against his own country, Ukraine says (newsbreak.com)
A Russian warship experienced significant damage following an onboard fire in April, which Ukrainian officials attribute to sabotage by a Russian member siding with Ukraine. The affected vessel, identified as the missile ship Serpukhov, was stationed in the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea and now requires extensive repairs due to the fire’s impact, particularly on its communication and automation systems.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate reported at a news conference that the saboteur, a Russian serviceman using the callsign “Hoga,” was secretly working under the allegiance of Ukraine’s “Freedom of Russia” legion—a group comprising Russian dissidents fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. “Hoga” reportedly reached out to Ukraine through the “I Want To Live” program, a Ukrainian initiative offering a secure means for Russian forces to surrender. This program has reportedly seen over 200 soldiers surrender since its inception in late 2022.
During his time aboard the Serpukhov, “Hoga” gathered and relayed intelligence to Ukrainian forces. He ultimately ignited the fire that inflicted considerable damage on the ship, before defecting to Ukraine with confidential documents. The incident was briefly documented in a video clip showing the onset of the fire inside a cabin.
Russian officials have not yet responded to the allegations. Ukraine’s military intelligence did not initially claim responsibility for the sabotage when first reported in April.
The Serpukhov, recognized as one of Russia’s most advanced missile ships capable of launching cruise missiles at land targets, was formerly active in the Black Sea before its transfer to the Baltic fleet in 2016.
The credibility of these claims has not been independently verified as of this reporting.