Two Ukrainian drones destroyed a Russian radar installation and military storage facilities located on a gas production platform in the Black Sea, according to a statement released Monday by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).
The incident follows what Kyiv described as the largest drone barrage Russia has launched against Ukrainian territory since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. That attack, carried out on Saturday, reportedly involved dozens of drones, many aimed at critical infrastructure and civilian targets.
In response, the SBU released aerial footage that appears to show the first drone flying across the Black Sea and striking the tower of a gas production platform. Ukrainian intelligence claims the impact destroyed a Russian “Neva” radar system used for monitoring aerial threats. A second drone was then deployed for a follow-up strike targeting the underside of the facility, which Ukraine alleges was being used to store military supplies.
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“We once again reminded the enemy that no Russian junk has a place in the Black Sea,” the SBU said in its statement. “The Security Service of Ukraine continues to develop and implement unique special operations to clear the Black Sea from Russian invaders, their military equipment and other equipment.”
The SBU’s claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate response from Russian defense officials. Open-source analysts have yet to confirm the extent of the damage or verify the platform’s prior use as a military site.
Since Russia pulled out of a U.S.-backed maritime deconfliction agreement in March due to its demands regarding the lifting of certain sanctions not being met, Ukraine has escalated its use of both aerial and naval drones to challenge Russian positions offshore.
Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces claimed responsibility for a drone strike that destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet. That operation came weeks after Ukraine used naval drones to reportedly eliminate two Russian helicopters on the final day of 2024.
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Post Image Credit: Ukrainian Security Service
