Ukraine Damages Russian Frigates in Unprecedented Attack

(Kyiv) – Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) has successfully struck Russian naval assets in the Caspian Sea, damaging at least two Russian Gepard-class frigates, according to the latest intelligence from the UK Ministry of Defense. This marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s ability to reach Russian territories previously considered secure.

In the first week of November 2024, Ukraine’s HUR launched an innovative operation that targeted Russia’s Caspian Flotilla, a fleet of warships based in the port city of Kaspiysk. The strike involved an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and hit at least two significant targets in the port, including the missile ships Tatarstan and Dagestan, as well as several smaller missile vessels of Project 21631. This was the first known attack against the Caspian Flotilla since the war began.

The UK Ministry of Defense confirmed the strike took place on November 6, 2024, and it caused significant damage to the two Gepard-class frigates, although the extent of the damage remains unclear. The ministry suggested that while repairs are expected, the attack demonstrated Ukraine’s growing ability to strike deep within Russian-controlled areas, a move that could have serious strategic implications for the region.

“The Russian Caspian Flotilla was likely used in large-scale attacks against Ukraine in 2022, with occasional strikes continuing through 2023 and into 2024,” said the British intelligence report. “However, it is unlikely that the vessels targeted in this strike were directly involved in attacks on Ukrainian territory.”

The operation has raised concerns in Russia, particularly due to the UAV’s ability to traverse a large area of Russian territory without being intercepted. This raises questions about the security of Russian assets in areas that were once considered too far from the front lines to be vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks. The strike has prompted fears among Russian political and military leaders, who now face the prospect of Ukraine being able to target strategic locations inside Russia itself.