Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) says it hit a Russian Il-38N maritime patrol aircraft at the Yeysk airfield. It was the only aircraft of its type Russia had in the Black Sea, the SBU said.
The SBU released footage from the drone that struck the Il-38N. The date of the operation was not specified. It is not possible to accurately assess the extent of the damage from the video.
The SBU says the aircraft has been rendered inoperable. Russia’s Defense Ministry has not commented.
The Il-38N is a Soviet-era Il-38 fitted with the “Novella” anti-submarine suite.
Several such aircraft were delivered to the Russian Navy, but the exact number is unknown.
An estimate of eight was cited in 2016.
The Russian Defense Ministry has publicly stated only that several Il-38Ns are in service with the Pacific Fleet.
The SBU says the aircraft it hit was the only one of its kind in the Black Sea.
Its destruction, the agency claims, allowed Ukrainian naval drones to operate freely and strike a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk on December 15.
The SBU continues to assert it successfully struck the submarine. Russia’s Defense Ministry has previously denied this and released video showing the submarine moored at a pier without visible damage.
