Ukrainian drones hit Russian vessels and air defence systems in occupied Kerch overnight: details of the operation

Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) drones struck two Russian military supply ships and air defence systems in Kerch on the night of 25-26 June as part of a 40-day operation in Crimea approved by the president the day before.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine

Quote from the SSU: "In fulfilment of the objectives set by the president… warriors of the SSU's [Special Group] Alpha struck military support vessels at the Zatoka shipbuilding plant in temporarily occupied Kerch. Air defence systems of the Russian military in the area of the Kerch Strait were also struck."

Details: The SSU drones struck the Volga and the Vyatka, two Project 15310 cable vessels, as well as the Petropavlovsk, a cargo and passenger ferry which had been 96% ready. A large fire broke out as a result of the attack.

Quote: "The Volga and Vyatka were being built for Russia's Ministry of Defence. Their purpose is to deploy the Garmoniya hydroacoustic surveillance system for underwater military reconnaissance. In addition, they can lay non-contact mines to strike vessels, underwater pipelines, cables and other critical infrastructure facilities. The cost of each of these vessels runs into hundreds of millions of dollars."

SSU drones also struck the weapons and radar station of the S-400 surface-to-air missile system which was covering the area of the Kerch Strait.

Background: On 25 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had approved a 40-day SSU influence operation targeting Russia to push the Russians towards ending the war.

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