Overview
- The SBU says a drone with an airburst warhead released about 2,000 downward fragments over a parked Il‑38N at Yeysk, striking its sensor bay and damaging an engine.
- Ukrainian officials describe the aircraft’s neutralization as the key step that let Sub Sea Baby drones target a Project 636.3 submarine in Novorossiysk on December 15.
- Russia’s Black Sea Fleet says no vessels were damaged at the base, and media reviewing the SBU video and imagery report they cannot independently verify the timing or location.
- The SBU says this Il‑38N was the only platform in the region able to detect the underwater drone and values the aircraft at about $24 million.
- Kyiv says the targeted Kilo-class boat carries Kalibr missiles and would cost roughly $400–$500 million to replace, situating the operation within its ongoing campaign to degrade Black Sea Fleet assets.