Ukraine Destroys Russia’s Rare Be-12 Anti-Submarine Aircraft in Crimea Strike, Video

For the first time, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate special unit Prymary  has destroyed two Russian Be-12 Chaika anti-submarine amphibious aircraft in temporarily occupied Crimea.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported the strike on September 22, noting that the attack took place a day earlier.

“This is the first time in history that a Be-12 has been destroyed,” the agency said, releasing footage of the strike.

Ukrainian intelligence emphasized that the Be-12 Chaika aircraft are equipped with expensive systems designed to detect and counter submarines. Alongside the two planes, Prymary also destroyed a Russian Mi-8 multipurpose helicopter during the raid.

The Be-12 Chaika is a Soviet-era amphibious anti-submarine aircraft developed in the 1960s by the Beriev Design Bureau. It can take off from both land and water, with primary missions including detecting, tracking, and destroying submarines, as well as carrying out search and rescue operations. The aircraft is fitted with hydroacoustic buoys, a magnetometer, radar systems, and can be armed with torpedoes, depth charges, and other specialized weapons.

Despite its age, the Be-12 has remained in service with Russia’s naval aviation, particularly in the Black Sea. Its limited numbers and the complexity of maintenance make it a rare and costly asset.

Previously, HUR operatives have destroyed a rare Russian DT-10 “Vityaz” all-terrain vehicle during a nighttime raid on Tendrivska Spit, a strategic strip of land along the Black Sea, HUR reported on September 19.

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