A Ukrainian naval drone strike near the Kerch Bridge on April 30, 2026, reportedly resulted in the deaths of eight Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) patrol boat crew members. The incident, which garnered renewed attention following a social media post by "WarMonitor🇺🇦🇬🇧" on June 4, 2026, highlighting "Incredible footage of a Ukrainian drone hitting a Russian warship last night near the Crimean bridge," underscores Ukraine's continued targeting of Russian naval assets. According to United24Media, citing the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, the attack completely wiped out the crew of a Project PSKA-300 "Sobol" patrol boat.
Ukraine's Navy confirmed that two Russian vessels were struck during the overnight operation near the Kerch Bridge, a critical logistical and symbolic link connecting Russia's Krasnodar region with occupied Crimea. One of the vessels was identified as the FSB-operated "Sobol" patrol boat, while the second was a "Grachonok"-class anti-sabotage boat. Both boats were reportedly part of the maritime security perimeter established to protect the strategically vital bridge.
The Kerch Bridge, opened in 2018 after Russia's annexation of Crimea, has been a frequent target for Ukrainian forces since 2022 due to its role in supplying Russian military operations in southern Ukraine. The Project 12200 "Sobol" is a high-speed patrol craft designed for coastal interception, capable of reaching speeds up to 48 knots. Russia was reported to operate approximately 11 such boats in the Black Sea and Azov Sea regions prior to this incident.
This attack forms part of a broader pattern of Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russian strategic sites. On June 3, 2026, Ukraine also launched drone attacks on targets in Russia's Leningrad Oblast, including a warship at the Kronstadt naval base and an oil terminal in St. Petersburg. These coordinated actions demonstrate Ukraine's ongoing efforts to disrupt Russian logistics and military capabilities through innovative unmanned systems.
