Russia’s Izumrud Helped Capture Ukrainian Ships. A Ukrainian Sea Drone Just Sank It

Ukraine’s Navy says it sank the Russian FSB patrol ship Izumrud near Novorossiysk—the same vessel that took part in Russia’s 2018 attack on Ukrainian naval boats in the Kerch Strait.

Ukrainian forces struck the ship with a Sargan-3000 uncrewed maritime system.

The Navy said members of the Russian crew were killed and wounded, though it did not disclose precise casualty figures.

The Izumrud was involved in the November 25, 2018, confrontation in which Russian forces attacked and seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels attempting to pass through the Kerch Strait. Ukrainian sailors were captured during the incident.

“Retribution is inevitable. More to come…” Ukraine’s Navy said after announcing the ship’s destruction.

Launched in 2014, the Izumrud was a second-rank border patrol ship operated by Russia’s Federal Security Service. The vessel measured approximately 62.5 meters, or 205 feet, in length and displaced between 630 and 750 metric tons.

It could reach speeds of up to 27 knots and was equipped with a helicopter landing pad.

Previously, the Security Service of Ukraine carried out a large-scale overnight operation, simultaneously striking Russian military, logistics, surveillance, and fuel infrastructure across occupied Crimea, the Black Sea region, and southern Russia.

In the Black Sea, SBU drones struck two Russian Project 12150 Mangust patrol boats.

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