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Ukrainian Naval Drones Punch Through Kerch Bridge Shield, Hit Two Russian Guard Boats, Video
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Ukraine’s Navy struck two Russian boats guarding the Kerch Bridge in a nighttime attack, using domestically developed sea drones to hit vessels protecting one of Moscow’s most strategically important links to temporarily occupied Crimea, according to the Navy’s press service on April 30.
The operation targeted Russian forces tasked with securing the waters around the bridge, which connects occupied Crimea to Russia.
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Footage released after the strike indicates that uncrewed surface vessels were used to carry out the attack.
The strike damaged two boats: the Project 12200 Sobol patrol boat and the Project 21980 Grachonok anti-sabotage boat. Both are used by Russian security and naval forces to patrol sensitive maritime areas.
In addition to damage to the vessels, Russian crews suffered casualties, with reports of both killed and wounded personnel.
Night operation success: Ukraine’s Navy hit Russian vessels in the Kerch Strait.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 30, 2026
“Sobol” and “Grachonok” — key assets protecting the Kerch Bridge — were struck, enemy losses reported.
Systematic pressure on Russia’s Black Sea presence continues. pic.twitter.com/qszwIFXhVP
Ukrainian officials emphasized that the targeted boats play a key role in defending the maritime zone around the Kerch Bridge—an infrastructure project built after Russia seized Crimea and widely viewed as a critical logistics and military artery.
The Project 12200 Sobol is a compact but fast patrol craft designed for interception and coastal defense missions.
Measuring about 28 meters in length and built with a lightweight aluminum hull, the vessel is capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 knots, allowing it to respond quickly in contested waters.
Its crew typically consists of six to ten personnel, with the ability to operate at sea for up to three days without resupply. The boat is commonly armed with a 14.5mm machine gun and portable air-defense systems.
The larger Project 21980 Grachonok anti-sabotage boat is designed specifically to counter underwater threats, including combat divers.
With a displacement of around 139 tons and a crew of eight, the vessel can remain at sea for up to five days and operate within a range of roughly 200 nautical miles.
It is equipped with specialized sonar systems to detect underwater activity, including the Anapa hydroacoustic station, as well as seabed scanning tools and remotely operated underwater vehicles capable of inspecting objects at depths of up to 200 meters.
Its armament is focused on close-range defense, featuring a 14.5mm naval machine gun mount, portable air-defense systems, and anti-diver grenade launchers such as the DP-65A and DP-64.
Earlier, Ukrainian naval drones struck the sanctioned oil tanker MARQUISE in the Black Sea, approximately 210 kilometers southeast of the Russian port city of Tuapse.
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-b9210a96b8009aa38895ba5a5945bcc1.png "Flames engulf Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery following a Ukrainian drone strike. (Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy)")
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