Ukrainian drone strikes Russian Caspian flotilla warships, defying air defenses

Journalist and military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko writes about this on his Telegram channel. 

Video footage circulating online, shot from a first-person perspective, shows the impact occurred in the mooring area of a small missile boat from Project 21631 and a missile boat from Project 12418, with "Stupinets" being the only representative of this model in the Caspian flotilla.

The post notes that Kaspiysk is over a thousand kilometers from the presumed launch point, yet the drone, essentially a modified light aircraft, managed to cover this distance with ease — and in broad daylight. It crossed hundreds of kilometers through Russia's layered air defenses, not as a tiny target but as a full-sized light aircraft.

Kovalenko writes that "this is the first hit on Russian forces in the Caspian Sea since the invasion began. It’s a clear message — Russian sailors, you’re not safe in the Black Sea or the Caspian!"

The Caspian Flotilla includes both the ships mentioned above and others, particularly from Projects 21631 and 22800. Almost all of these vessels are equipped with short- and medium-range naval air defense systems. For instance, Project 11661 ships have AK-630 automatic cannons, Osa-MA-2 or Palash SAM systems, and Igla-M MANPADS. Project 21630 features AK-306 or AK-630M-2 Duet automatic cannons, the 3M-47 Gibka SAM system, and standard Igla-M MANPADS. Project 22800, in addition to the AK-630M, has the Pantsir-ME SAM system, one of a kind globally, and Igla-M MANPADS.

In theory, any light aircraft approaching the Caspian Flotilla’s base zone should face an overwhelming barrage, practically zeroing out its survival odds. Yet, this drone not only dodged the fire but successfully struck its target, Kovalenko adds.

"It's hard to comment on the performance of Russian air defenses here, but this Ukrainian drone strike was both audacious and unexpected, once again exposing the occupiers," he concludes. 

• On the morning of November 6, ‘kamikaze’ drones of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence hit a military port in the Russian city of Kaspiysk for the first time.