The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced on 23/12 that it launched an attack targeting a Russian Il-38N anti-submarine aircraft at the Yeysk base. This strike preceded a successful operation last week that targeted a Project 636.3 submarine in Novorossiysk port.

The SBU released a video showing a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) approaching an Il-38N aircraft parked on the tarmac. The footage cuts as the drone flies over the Russian aircraft, making it impossible to ascertain specific damage from the video alone.

According to the SBU, the suicide drone was equipped with a fragmentation warhead containing 2,000 fragments designed to disperse downwards. The agency stated, "The explosion occurred directly above the equipment and radar bay, also damaging the engines. Neutralizing this anti-submarine aircraft helped ensure the main phase of the special operation was successful."

Ukrainian intelligence indicated that the Il-38N is valued at 24 million USD and specializes in: reconnaissance, maritime patrol, submarine hunting, minelaying, and torpedo launching. The Russian military frequently deploys it to counter Ukrainian unmanned underwater vehicles. The SBU reported that Russia possesses only one aircraft of this type in the Black Sea, which is capable of detecting the Sub Sea Baby unmanned underwater vehicle, a weapon used in the attack on the submarine in Novorossiysk port.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on this information.

On 15/12, the SBU deployed a Sub Sea Baby unmanned underwater vehicle to attack the Novorossiysk naval port, claiming to have hit a Project 636.3 submarine and severely damaged it. The Russian Black Sea Fleet subsequently asserted that no warships were damaged in the attack. Satellite images showed the explosion occurred approximately 20 meters from the submarine's stern, with no signs of damage on the hull in close-up images released by Russia. However, Western observers still suggested the explosion could have impacted the submarine's propeller.

A Russian Il-38N anti-submarine aircraft performs during Russian Navy Day in 2018. Photo: Kremlin

The Il-38 is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft developed by Ilyushin, which entered service with the Soviet naval air force in the late 1960s. A total of 58 units were produced, with five sold to India. The aircraft is equipped with a magnetic anomaly detection sensor for hunting submarines and a Berkut radar for identifying surface targets. The Il-38 has two combat compartments: the forward compartment holds sonobuoys, while the other can carry up to 9 tons of weapons, including: torpedoes, naval mines, depth charges, and conventional bombs.

The Il-38N version is a comprehensively modernized variant featuring a new radar, a separate reconnaissance and electronic support complex located above the cockpit, and an infrared sensor under the aircraft's nose. Each Il-38N can detect air targets from a distance of 90 km, track surface targets within a range of 320 km, and is capable of simultaneously monitoring 32 targets, including warships and submarines.

Russia is believed to maintain a fleet of approximately 25-28 Il-38 aircraft, most of which have been upgraded to the Il-38N standard. Additionally, the Russian Black Sea Fleet also operates a mixed regiment equipped with Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopters.

Pham Giang (According to Ukrainska Pravda)