Ukraine has hit Russian maritime reconnaissance aircraft before striking Novorossiysk submarine

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has struck a modernised Il-38N Sea Dragon maritime reconnaissance aircraft at Russia's Yeysk air base as part of preparations for the attack on a Russian submarine in the city of Novorossiysk.

Source: the SSU on Facebook

Quote: "This aircraft is designed for maritime reconnaissance, searching for submarines, monitoring sea areas, laying minefields and carrying out torpedo strikes.

The aircraft that was hit was actively countering the work of the SSU's sea drones. The estimated cost of this aircraft is US$24 million."

Detail: The SSU added that Russia had only one aircraft of this class in the Black Sea able to detect the Ukrainian Sub Sea Baby underwater drone as it moved towards its target.

Disabling the anti-submarine aircraft ensured that the main phase of the special operation was carried out successfully: the explosion of a Russian Varshavyanka-class submarine.

Quote: "To strike the Il-38N, the SSU used a modern drone with a surface-detonation warhead fitted with 2,000 downward-facing fragmentation elements. The detonation took place directly above the compartment containing the main equipment and radars and also damaged the engine."

Background: The SSU has reported that on 15 December, for the first time in history, it blew up a Russian submarine using Sub Sea Baby drones.

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