MEKHANIK POGODIN

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Grounded tanker, used as commando post by Russia, destroyed by Ukrainian air strike

The 'Mekhanik Pogodin', which the Russians converted into a command post, has been destroyed on March 11, 2024, as the result of a successful airstrike by the Ukrainian Air Force in the area of the Kinburn Spit on a mud flat, 2,5 kilometers from the village of Vynohradne. A large part of the bridge roof was blown into the air by a huge explosion and landed in the water. Large black plumes of smoke were then seen. On May 2, 2018, the VEB-Leasing OJSC in St. Petersburg, the owner of the tanker, was included in the sanctions list and arrested. The ship was located in the territory of the Kherson seaport until the summer of 2023. After the occupation of Kherson in 2022, Russian forces tried to withdraw the sanctioned tanker, but were unable to do so. The vessel later fell into the so-called “grey zone” between Ukrainian and Russian forces. After the Russians blew up the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station, the tanker was washed ashore on the Kinburn Spit, which is temporarily controlled by the Russians. Subsequently, an observation post for reconnaissance and electronic warfare means was deployed on the mentioned vessel. The ship was periodically used as a platform for launching FPV drones to strike the territory of the Kherson region. Therefore, the destruction of the Russian tanker Mekhanik Pogodin not only thwarted the invaders in their plans but was also carried out in full compliance with the norms of International Humanitarian Law. Reports with photos and video: https://censor.net/en/video_news/3478084/ukrainian_aviation_hits_russian_command_post_on_tanker_ship_video https://forbes.ua/news/povitryani-sili-znishchili-rosiyskiy-tanker-mekhanik-pogodin-detali-12032024-19784

Motor boat slammed into tanker in Kherson

On Sep 16, 2018, at 8 p.m. the motorboat "Krym" slammed into the ‘Mekhanik Pogodin’ which was moored near Naftohavan in Kherson. The solid metal board was not damaged, and the boat was thrown to the concrete berth and rumpled quite a lot. However, its 38-year-old owner survived, but with a fractured head, a torn wound on the back and numerous bruises all over the body. He was taken from the place of the accident to regional clinical hospital. The causes of the accident were being investigated. The owner of the boat was in a state of alcoholic intoxication and could not immediately notice an obstacle in the dark and react in time. The tanker was blocked in the port of Kherson since August. The vessel was under sanctions of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine when it entered Kherson port. 12 Russian sailors were aboard the tanker.

Ukraine to keep Mekhanik Pogodin ship in its port for three years

The Ukrainian authorities will keep the Mekhanik Pogodin vessel in its port city of Kherson for three years, the so-called first deputy Ukrainian president’s envoy to Crimea, Izet Gdanov, said on Saturday. “On August 10, the asset of this company, namely the Mekhanik Pogodin vessel, was blocked for three years in the port of Kherson,” he said in a comment to Ukraine’s Public Radio. The operating company, V.F. Tanker, earlier said that the ship’s crew had denied entry to a port inspection, because it lacked lawful reasons. Gdanov described the crew’s actions as illegal and claimed that they would “bear responsibility in line with the current legislation.”