(CRIMEA) – Ukrainian forces have conducted a successful drone strike against Russian maritime assets in Crimea, targeting two Project 22460 Okhotnik-class patrol vessels in Sevastopol and a Be-12 maritime aircraft at an aviation repair plant in Yevpatoria.
The attack, reportedly carried out using FP1 and FP2 drones, shows one drone approaching the patrol boats from the side, potentially impacting the bridge or mast area. While the vessels may not have been destroyed outright, significant damage is expected given the drones’ destructive capability.
Photographs indicate a second drone targeting the other patrol vessel, with personnel visible on deck at the time of the strike. The ships, geolocated in the eastern section of Sevastopol naval base, are operated by the Coast Guard rather than the Black Sea Fleet.
The Be-12 aircraft at Yevpatoria had been decommissioned and stationary for several years. Analysts suggest the drone may have engaged it as a target of opportunity or possibly misidentified another aircraft under repair. The Be-12 is out of production, and spare parts are limited, making repair unlikely.
The Rubin-class patrol vessels carry a 30mm main gun, multiple machine guns, and some variants include SAM missile systems. Photographs of smaller BK16 patrol boats hit by similar drones show extensive damage, indicating that the Rubin-class vessels may have suffered severe impairment.
Ukraine has previously damaged and destroyed Be-12 aircraft, although only seven remained in Russian service. The current strike on the long-decommissioned Be-12 does not count as an operational loss.
The attack zones are identified with the patrol vessels in Sevastopol and the Be-12 aircraft at Yevpatoria. Ukrainian authorities have not yet released a video of the strike.
