A story in three acts, not necessarily based on real events.

Act one

Force X maneuvers their navy fairly close to shores of Force Y, ostentatiously threatening amphibious landing. Force Y seemingly compelled to keep a contingent of its manpower pinned to avert landing. Waters around Force Y shores heavily mined, with some mines coming loose and drifting due to unfavourable weather.

Act two

Force Y in possession of unmanned aerial systems with capable EW component. Decides to “risk” one of said systems by flying it close to minor Force X ship in what Force X assesses to be a major blunder.

Force X naval air defense/CIWS engages target. Target successfully repelled and maybe even destroyed. Seemingly huge blow to Force Y, who is only said to field around 40 units of said type.

Force X sees opportunity to convert engagement into internet clout, MoD triumphantly releases footage revealing response procedure and timings.

Time passes.

Act three

Heavy seas. Force X, aware of Force Y fielding anti-ship cruise missiles, nevertheless maneuvers pride of their regional fleet named for capital city within striking distance.

Force Y sorties unmanned aerial asset near capital ship, drawing attention from ship’s air defense systems, paints target for ASCM closing in on ship at wavetop height. Force X AD distracted. Hit on target, ammunition stores ignite.

Force X claims spontaneous combustion aboard ship, claims no enemy action, claims crew successfully evacuated, claims fires put out, claims ship returning to port under own power.

Short time passes.

Force X forced to admit their capital ship has joined the submarine forces.

Addendum

Force X - which had previously denied passage to Force Y naval assets through regional strait - unable to replenish naval assets in regional body of water due to third party blocking access to oceans, invoking archaic treaty from the time of the predecessor to the predecessor of Force X.

(Note: Maybe it was just a mine hit. Time will tell…)