(KACHA, CRIMEA) – A video has emerged showing a Russian Be 12 maritime aircraft attempting to neutralize a stationary Ukrainian marine drone in the Black Sea with unsuccessful results.
The footage captures the Soviet era amphibious plane conducting a bombing run against the uncrewed surface vessel near the occupied Crimean Peninsula. Despite dropping four bombs in a sequential line toward the target, the aircraft failed to record a direct hit. None of the munitions successfully struck the drone, which appeared to be immobile at the time of the engagement.
The maritime drone was observed to be stationary, leading to assessments that it may have been previously disabled by mechanical failure or a prior engagement with Russian helicopters. Military analysts suggest that the deployment of the Be 12, an aircraft designed in the 1950s for anti submarine warfare and maritime patrol, highlights the limited options available to the Russian dictator in countering the persistent threat posed by Ukrainian naval technology.
Observers noted that the bombs landed in proximity to the target but failed to cause critical damage. Given the inability to hit a fixed object, the effectiveness of such bombing runs against moving or manoeuvring targets is considered highly questionable.
Some discrepancies have been raised regarding the exact nature of the target. While Russian sources identified the object as a marine drone, some analysts noted that the white colour and visible stubs on the object could indicate it was a standard unmanned aerial vehicle floating on the water rather than a naval drone.
The aircraft involved in the incident is part of a dwindling fleet operated by the Russian Naval Aviation from the Kacha air base in Western Crimea. Historically, the Be 12 has a maximum takeoff weight of 36,000 kilograms and can carry a payload of up to 3,000 kilograms. Recent Ukrainian strikes have significantly impacted this rare fleet, with reports from late 2025 indicating that at least two such aircraft were damaged or destroyed at their base.
Current estimates suggest that between two and seven Be 12 aircraft remain in active service with the Black Sea Fleet. These aircraft were officially retired in 1992 but were brought back into service by the Russian dictator to help locate and intercept Ukrainian sea drones. The ongoing reliance on these Cold War relics suggests a significant strain on the Russian military resources. While the cost of a Be 12 is difficult to quantify due to its age, similar vintage maritime patrol assets are often maintained at high expense.
