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Ukraine Blew Up One of Russia’s Rare Be-200 Aircraft, Hit Ka-27 Helicopter at Yeysk Air Base
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Operators from Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed a Russian Be-200 amphibious aircraft and struck a Ka-27 helicopter during an overnight drone attack on the military airfield in Yeysk, according to the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine, Robert Brovdi, on May 15.
The strike on the Russian airfield was carried out by operators from the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces.
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Published footage appears to show the complete destruction of the Be-200, a rare Russian jet-powered amphibious aircraft capable of operating both from conventional runways and water surfaces.
The aircraft is powered by two D-436TP turbofan engines, can reportedly reach speeds of up to 720 km/h, and has a range of approximately 3,850 kilometers. Depending on configuration, it can transport up to 72 passengers or carry roughly 12 tons of water for firefighting missions.
Although primarily known as a firefighting aircraft, the Be-200 is also used for maritime patrol, cargo transport, and search-and-rescue operations.
Additionally, Russia recently proposed building this “multi-tool” aircraft on the frame of the Be-200, a well-known amphibious jet Russia has struggled to produce for decades.
A new patent emerged, suggesting Moscow wants to merge AWACS, maritime patrol, and anti-sub roles into one overstuffed aircraft, Be-200.
According to Brovdi, Ukrainian drones also struck a Russian Ka-27 helicopter stationed at the same airfield. Russian forces had reportedly attempted to shield the helicopter using protective net structures, though the final extent of the damage remains unclear.
The Ka-27 is a ship-based multi-role helicopter mainly designed for anti-submarine warfare, but it is also used for transport, patrol, and search-and-rescue missions.
According to Ukrainian military officials, drone operators additionally struck a Pantsir-S1 air defense system in temporarily occupied Crimea and targeted a cargo vessel carrying ammunition in Berdyansk.
Separately, operators from the 427th Separate Brigade Rarog reportedly struck a Tor-M2 air defense complex in the Luhansk region.
Ukrainian officials also said fighters from the 414th Separate Brigade Ptakhy Madyara, together with the 20th Brigade K-2, attacked a Russian training center and temporary deployment point in the occupied Luhansk region.
Earlier, Ukrainian forces conducted a coordinated drone strike on a Russian military airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea, detecting and destroying a transport aircraft An-72P, as well as a two-coordinate circular surveillance radar P-37.
According to Brovdi, the operation was carried out by the 1st Separate Center of Unmanned Systems in coordination with the 9th Department of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR). The targets were located at the Kirovske airfield in eastern Crimea.
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