(DNIPRO DELTA, KHERSON OBLAST, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian coastal defence forces said they destroyed two Russian motor boats during an attempted assault in the Dnipro Delta, killing eight Russian personnel on board, in a drone assisted operation carried out by a specialised marine unit.
According to Ukrainian military sources, the action was conducted by operators from the 40th Separate Coastal Defence Brigade, a Ukrainian Marine Corps formation tasked with riverine and littoral operations in southern Ukraine. The unit detected the Russian boats as they were manoeuvring through the delta channels and engaged them using drone based strike capabilities.
Video footage released by Ukrainian forces shows the moment the Russian speed boats were hit and destroyed. The images, recorded by aerial drones, capture explosions that disabled the vessels and set them ablaze while they were still moving at speed, indicating that the boats were actively involved in an assault attempt rather than routine transport.
The 40th Separate Coastal Defence Brigade operates in complex river environments and is equipped for drone assisted combat. The unit makes extensive use of unmanned systems to monitor waterways, identify targets and conduct precision strikes while limiting risks to Ukrainian personnel.
Ukraine has publicly acknowledged the development and deployment of unmanned surface vessels, including the Barracuda series, which are capable of carrying out armed missions as well as reconnaissance and patrol tasks. These systems have been linked to the 40th Brigade’s coastal defence role and are designed to counter Russian movements along rivers, estuaries and coastal zones.
The Dnipro Delta has remained a strategically sensitive area since Russian forces were pushed back from parts of southern Ukraine. Control of river routes is considered critical for preventing infiltration, sabotage and amphibious style assaults, and Ukrainian forces have increasingly relied on drones to maintain constant surveillance and rapid response capability.
Ukrainian officials have not reported any casualties on their side in the incident. Russian authorities have not publicly commented on the loss of the boats or personnel.
