The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (GUR) announced on 22/9 that its "Ghost" special forces unit had targeted two Be-12 anti-submarine warfare aircraft in Crimea. "This is the first time Be-12s have been destroyed in history," the GUR stated, adding that a Mi-8 helicopter was also attacked.
Released video footage shows a Ukrainian drone targeting a Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopter. The video cuts off as the drone hovers above the main rotor, leaving it unclear whether the drone struck the target. In a second video, a Ukrainian drone descends, loses altitude, and loses signal while still some distance from a Russian seaplane. In the final frames, the suicide drone maintains a steady flight path towards the right engine of the Be-12, losing signal seconds before impact.
The GUR did not provide evidence of damage to Russian forces following the attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defence has not commented on the information.
The Beriev Be-12 seaplane was developed in the 1950s and first flew in 1960. The turboprop aircraft was designed for anti-submarine warfare and short-range maritime patrols. An estimated 143 were built in six different versions, ranging from military aircraft to rescue variants. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, most Be-12s were converted for civilian purposes such as firefighting and search and rescue.
In 2023, Western intelligence described the Be-12 as a key asset in Russia's maritime patrols, believing its role was to provide early detection of Ukrainian suicide drone boats.
Satellite imagery from 7/2022 showed 7 to 8 Be-12 aircraft at the Kacha air base in Crimea, alongside two that had been disassembled. It is unclear how many remain in service with the Russian naval air force.
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Be-12 seaplanes at Kacha air base in Crimea in satellite imagery from 7/2022. Image: Planet Labs |
Ukraine has recently stepped up attacks on targets in Crimea in an effort to weaken Russian military infrastructure on the peninsula. On 21/9, the GUR claimed to have destroyed three Mi-8 helicopters and a Nebo-U surveillance radar on the peninsula, but only released satellite images showing one burning aircraft.
Pham Giang (According to Business Insider, United24)
