Ukrainian Drones Strike Three Russian Ships and a MiG-31 Fighter Jet in Sevastopol

(SEVASTOPOL, CRIMEA) – Ukrainian forces have struck three Russian naval vessels in Sevastopol and a MiG-31 fighter jet at Belbek air base in a coordinated operation targeting occupied Crimea’s military infrastructure.

According to Ukrainian defence sources, the operation struck two landing ships, the Yamal and the Nikolai Filchenkov, as well as the reconnaissance vessel Ivan Khurs. At Belbek air base, a MiG-31 interceptor was hit alongside air defence and radar assets, military infrastructure, a training centre and technical facilities.

The Yamal, a Ropucha class landing craft, has not left Sevastopol since sustaining damage from a Storm Shadow missile strike in 2024. Russian authorities claimed at the time the vessel suffered only minor damage, but its continued confinement to harbour suggests otherwise. The ship was also targeted by an FP-2 drone in a strike on 19 April, making this the second attack on the vessel in recent weeks. Analysts suggest Ukraine may have acquired intelligence indicating the Yamal was being prepared to re-enter service.

The Nikolai Filchenkov, an Alligator class landing craft, was also hit by FP-2 drones on 19 April. The fact that Russia opted to keep the vessel in Sevastopol rather than evacuate it to Novorossiysk with the remainder of the Black Sea Fleet strongly indicates the damage from the earlier strike was significant. Had the damage been minor, the vessel would almost certainly have been moved away as quickly as possible. The ship was previously struck by a Storm Shadow missile in the same 2024 attack that hit the Yamal. Satellite imagery obtained after that strike showed a hole in its deck and the vessel listing, requiring support from a nearby ship to remain afloat. It came perilously close to capsizing. Russia denied any damage at the time, yet the Filchenkov has remained confined to Sevastopol ever since, suggesting the damage was severe and Russia lacks the repair capability at the port to restore it fully.

It is uncertain whether FP-2 drones can sink a vessel the size of the Filchenkov. The munitions do not appear to penetrate deeply and would typically detonate on impact with a ship’s surface. However, Ukraine did manage to sink a cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea with FP-2 drones last year, breaking it in two. That ship was reportedly carrying weapons from Iran, believed to be Shahed drones. A strike on a poorly maintained vessel, which most of the Black Sea Fleet is assumed to be, or one that detonates ammunition on board could potentially sink it. As the Filchenkov is a landing craft, there is a possibility of ammunition being present, though the vessel had been stationary for some time and even Russia would likely have the sense to unload munitions from a damaged warship before conducting repairs.

The Ivan Khurs, a Yuriy Ivanov class intelligence vessel, was also targeted. It is the only ship of its type in the Black Sea Fleet.

At Belbek air base, the strike hit a MiG-31 fighter jet of the type Russia uses to launch Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, making it a high value target. Additional infrastructure and buildings were struck, including a facility reported to be a training centre.

The strikes at Sevastopol and Belbek air base represent a continuation of Ukraine’s systematic campaign to degrade Russian naval and air capabilities in occupied Crimea.