SBU shoots down Russian helicopters in the Kerch Strait

The Security Service of Ukraine released details of the operation in the Kerch Strait on the night of December 5-6.

According to the SBU, a group of SeaWeb maritime drones engaged in a battle with Russian helicopters, airplanes, and patrol boats that tried to intercept them.

"The Russian pilots considered themselves hunters and expected an easy hunt, but they became prey because the maritime drones returned fire," the agency said.

In addition, the SBU added that the newest Sea Babies were equipped with large-caliber machine guns with ballistic programs for automatic targeting and auto-capture. Referring to intercepted Russian radio communications, the SBU notes that there are dead and wounded on board the helicopters. The helicopters themselves allegedly suffered significant damage and now require major repairs.

"Also, SBU drones hit a barge carrying military equipment and equipment for the repair of the Kerch bridge, which the occupiers are still trying in vain to fix after previous bombings by the Ukrainian special service," the SBU said.

Citing intercepted Russian radio communications, the SBU notes that there are dead and wounded on board the helicopters. The helicopters themselves allegedly suffered significant damage and now require major repairs.

Earlier, Ukrainian Navy units successfully attacked Russian surveillance systems located on seized gas platforms in the Black Sea. These gas towers have been under Russian control since 2014.

Meanwhile, the offshore platforms near Ukrainian drilling rigs in the Black Sea seized by Russia have been burning gas continuously for more than two years. Russia uses the platforms for military reconnaissance, having installed electronic equipment there. After recent attacks by Ukrainian military special forces, some of these facilities have been brought under control. In particular, smoke columns rise above four of the 14 platforms, with the longest fire burning since June 2022. One of the block conductors, located 50 kilometers east of Zmiinyi Island, has been on fire for three autumns. In June 2022, the occupation authorities of Crimea claimed an attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which allegedly damaged the Tavrida drilling rig, which Russia had taken away from the state-owned company Chernomorneftegaz.

Олеся Ланцман