Ukraine Releases Footage of First-Ever Sea-Launched FPV Drone Strike on Russian Offshore Platform.

On July 29, 2025, Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) released archival footage of one of its most unconventional operations conducted in the Black Sea theater. The images confirm, for the first time, the use of FPV (First Person View) drones launched from fast boats in the open sea during a raid carried out on September 11, 2024, targeting a Russian-controlled offshore gas platform off the coast of Crimea. This mission, led by the “Raven” Group, part of the GUR’s “Timur” Special Unit, represents a notable shift in Ukraine’s use of tactical drones, which had until then been employed mainly from land-based positions.
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The “Raven” unit launched FPV drones from high-speed vessels at sea, without the support of nearby ground infrastructure

Since the beginning of the conflict, drones have become central to Ukraine’s asymmetric warfare strategy. FPV drones, often based on modified civilian models, have proven to be a key tool for conducting short-range precision strikes against Russian targets. Operated in real-time through onboard cameras, these systems provide direct targeting capabilities at minimal cost. Their use has been widespread along land frontlines, particularly for attacking armored vehicles, command posts, and supply depots. However, their deployment in a maritime environment had remained marginal until this point.

The September 11 operation marks a clear departure from previous usage. On that day, the “Raven” unit launched FPV drones from high-speed vessels at sea, without the support of nearby ground infrastructure. The target was the “Petro Hodovanets” offshore gas platform, also known as “Crimea-2.” Located in waters near Crimea, the platform is one of the former “Boyko Rigs,” energy structures built by Ukraine before 2014 and seized by Russia following the annexation of the peninsula. Designed for autonomous operation for up to 30 days, the platform can host up to 120 personnel and has since served as a forward post for Russian forces.

According to information from Ukrainian military intelligence, the FPV drones struck Russian firing positions installed on the platform, causing both personnel and equipment losses. The operation also destroyed a Su-30SM multirole fighter jet belonging to Russia’s 43rd Separate Naval Aviation Regiment, which was operating in the area at the time. While the specific circumstances of the aircraft’s downing were not detailed, the footage released confirms its neutralization during the course of the mission.

This discreet yet technically complex raid highlights a new dimension in Ukraine’s maritime operations. The use of loitering drones at sea, in an open environment with no fixed support infrastructure, reflects a broader adaptation of military methods in a space traditionally dominated by conventional assets. The operation demonstrates the integration of naval mobility, accessible technology, and asymmetric tactics in a contested maritime zone where Russian forces maintain a continuous presence.

The September 11 operation is part of a broader trend in the transformation of combat methods, where low-cost drones are increasingly used against more expensive and exposed platforms. It illustrates the shifting dynamics of warfare in the Black Sea, a theater where the boundaries between land, sea, and technological domains are becoming increasingly blurred. By releasing the footage nearly a year later, Ukrainian authorities seek to highlight this emerging capability while signaling that the maritime front remains an active and contested domain.