Russia Claims it Shot Down 12 Scalp-EG Missiles, Ukraine Says One Russian Minesweeper Hit

Russian sources report intercepting at least 12 SCALP-EG missiles, while Ukraine claims to have destroyed a Russian minesweeper.

Russian military channels, including the Russian Arms Telegram channel, stated that the S-400 and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems intercepted 12 SCALP-EG missiles launched by six Su-24M aircraft of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The reported interception took place over the areas of Berdyansk and west of Mariupol.

In a counter-claim, Ukraine’s Navy announced on May 19 that it had destroyed the Russian sea minesweeper Kovrovets overnight, contradicting Moscow's previous assertions that it had repelled attacks on Crimea. This development is part of Ukraine’s broader campaign targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which has included damaging multiple warships. In April, Ukraine's Navy reported striking the Kommuna, a century-old salvage ship still in service with the Russian Navy.

Additionally, earlier on May 19, Russian forces claimed to have downed nine U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles and a drone over Crimea. The Ukrainian Navy has not provided details on the methods used in the alleged strike on the Kovrovets.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, a Russian-appointed official in Sevastopol, confirmed that air defenses were active around midnight, with no reported damage to civilian infrastructure.

The Kovrovets, a Project 266 Akvamarin class minesweeper known as the Yurka class in NATO terminology, has a crew of 68 and is equipped to detect mines at depths of up to 150 meters. The vessel also features two 30mm AK-230M naval guns and a high-resolution Lynx radar. According to the Black Sea Fleet's website, 40 ships of this class were constructed between 1963 and 1971.