(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian sea drones attacked the Shivash drilling platform in the Black Sea, damaging the structure and destroying a Russian Ka27 naval helicopter, according to video footage released late on 4 March.
The footage shows Ukrainian marine drones approaching and striking the offshore platform, which Russia uses as an observation and surveillance post.
Multiple drones appear to hit the supporting structures of the platform. The extent of the structural damage remains unclear, although the installation appears to remain standing after the strikes.
Ukraine has previously targeted similar offshore platforms in the Black Sea. Russian forces no longer use the installations for drilling operations but have converted many of them into military observation sites.
According to Ukrainian reports, the platforms are equipped with jamming systems, radar installations, communications equipment and surveillance devices used to monitor activity across the Black Sea. Some of the structures are also reported to host small troop detachments.
The Shivash platform was also said to contain equipment used to control drones operating in the area.
The video’s most notable moment shows a Russian Ka27 helicopter landing on the platform while being observed by a Ukrainian reconnaissance drone.
Moments later, while the helicopter’s rotors are still turning, a Ukrainian attack drone dives toward the aircraft and strikes it.
The helicopter is seen destroyed in the aftermath of the attack.
The loss of a Ka27 helicopter had been reported earlier, although no video evidence or operational details had previously been released. Some earlier speculation suggested the aircraft had been shot down by a marine drone. The footage indicates it was destroyed after landing on the platform.
The platform itself appears to have suffered earlier damage, suggesting it may have been targeted previously by Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine also released additional footage showing aerial drones striking the same installation. The videos show multiple impacts, indicating a combined assault involving sea drones and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Military observers say Ukraine has developed a variant of marine drone capable of launching smaller attack drones. The system acts as a mobile platform at sea, extending the range and flexibility of Ukrainian drone operations.
In the video, a large vessel can also be seen operating nearby. It appears to be a tanker or cargo ship. Analysts noted that most vessels of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet have withdrawn to the port of Novorossiysk, leaving commercial shipping more visible in the region.
It remains unclear whether the nearby vessel was connected to Russian operations or was simply passing through the area.
The Shivash platform forms part of a group of offshore installations located in the northern Black Sea. These platforms have repeatedly been highlighted by Ukraine as Russian military observation points.
The Ka27 helicopter involved in the incident entered service in the early 1980s. The aircraft is a naval helicopter used for transporting personnel and conducting anti submarine warfare missions.
According to the aviation publication Flight Global, Russia operates around 90 Ka27 helicopters within its navy and a further six within the air force.
Open source monitoring groups have previously recorded limited confirmed losses of the aircraft, although similar Ka29 helicopters have also been reported damaged during the war.
