Ukraine Destroys Russian Military Outpost on Black Sea Platform
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has successfully destroyed a Russian radar system and supply depots on a seized Ukrainian gas platform in the Black Sea—marking another blow to Moscow’s illegal military infrastructure.
The operation, carried out by the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, combined air and sea drones in a coordinated strike. First, an aerial drone hit one of the towers. Minutes later, a sea drone delivered a second strike, destroying Russia’s “Neva” radar system, weapons stockpiles, and residential quarters used by occupation forces.
This platform is one of several civilian gas rigs stolen by Russia in 2014 and turned into militarized surveillance posts. They were used to monitor Ukrainian naval and aerial movements and support Russian operations in the region. Russia turned stolen infrastructure into weapons—and Ukraine has now turned that into wreckage.
The operation, carried out by the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, combined air and sea drones in a coordinated strike. First, an aerial drone hit one of the towers. Minutes later, a sea drone delivered a second strike, destroying Russia’s “Neva” radar system, weapons stockpiles, and residential quarters used by occupation forces.
This platform is one of several civilian gas rigs stolen by Russia in 2014 and turned into militarized surveillance posts. They were used to monitor Ukrainian naval and aerial movements and support Russian operations in the region. Russia turned stolen infrastructure into weapons—and Ukraine has now turned that into wreckage.
The SBU stated clearly: “No Russian junk has a place in the Black Sea.”
This is more than a bold tactical success—it’s part of a methodical campaign to erase Russia’s presence in the Black Sea. Ukrainian naval drones have already struck 11 Russian warships. They’ve crippled the Crimean Bridge. Each strike reduces Moscow’s ability to project force and terrorize civilian shipping.
Russia built its dominance in the Black Sea on piracy, occupation, and impunity. It hijacked civilian platforms and converted them into armed outposts. Now, those same outposts are being dismantled one by one.
The effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone program—especially its ability to combine air and sea platforms in a single strike—has redrawn the strategic map. Russian warships are now limited in their movement. Their surveillance network is being taken apart. And Moscow, once confident in its naval superiority, is increasingly forced to operate defensively.
These platforms were not legitimate military targets—they were criminally seized Ukrainian infrastructure. Russia’s use of them as surveillance and weapons hubs is not only illegal under international law—it’s a hallmark of its approach to war: take what it wants, arm it, and dare the world to respond.
Ukraine has responded.
Every strike is a message to Russia and to its Western partners: this war can be won—not just defended against. But victory demands pressure, not pause. Drones are doing what delayed aid could not—breaking Russia’s grip on the Black Sea.