Ukraine Knocks Out Russia’s Last Rail Ferry “Slavyanin” Supplying Crimea

Ukraine’s military intelligence reported that a Russian railway ferry used to supply temporary occupied Crimea was disabled in a drone strike, marking the loss of the last such vessel operating in the Kerch Strait.

According to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) on April 8, special units from its Department of Active Operations carried out a nighttime attack on April 6 targeting the ferry Slavyanin. The agency stated that the vessel was “put out of operation” following the strike.

HUR said the ferry had been the last remaining railway ferry used by Russian forces in temporarily occupied Kerch. The vessel was reportedly used to transport fuel, ammunition, military equipment, and weapons to Russian troops stationed on the peninsula.

The intelligence agency noted that the same ferry had previously been targeted in March. At that time, Ukrainian forces also struck another Russian railway ferry, Avangard, which was subsequently disabled.

According to HUR, the April 6 operation rendered Slavyanin inoperable, removing what it described as a key logistical asset supporting Russian military supply routes to Crimea.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

How Ukraine Turned the War Back on Russian Soil: A Timeline

Apr 03, 2026 16:59

The Kerch Strait has been a critical corridor for sustaining Russian forces in occupied territories, particularly amid ongoing pressure on land-based supply lines. Railway ferries have been used to move heavy cargo, including armored vehicles and bulk fuel, between mainland Russia and Crimea.

Earlier, Ukrainian drones struck Russia’s Black Sea Fleet frigate Admiral Essen in the port of Novorossiysk on April 6, marking the second hit on the vessel within a month.

According to CyberBoroshno and Defense Express, analysis of imagery and satellite data suggests the strike damaged the ship’s bow section near its naval gun and sonar system, potentially affecting its anti-submarine capabilities while leaving its Kalibr missile launch systems intact.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense