Russian strike on Ukrainian Navy ship: Two sailors dead, search continues for missing crew

Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Captain 3rd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk said this on Ukrainian television, Ukrinform reports.

"Unfortunately, we now have a second confirmed fatality. Search and rescue operations continue. Of course, we will definitely find all of our missing sailors — there are several of them. A few servicemen were wounded, but the majority of the crew has been safe since yesterday," Pletenchuk said.

Pletenchuk neither confirmed nor denied Russian media claims that the vessel had sunk.

"I cannot confirm that information at this time. Right now, the focus is on saving lives, so we cannot provide any further details," he said.