Overview

• Ukraine’s defense intelligence (HUR) said its special “Phantoms/Ghosts” unit struck two Be‑12 anti-submarine aircraft and an Mi‑8 helicopter on Sept. 21.
• HUR characterized the action as the first recorded strike on Be‑12 seaplanes and published edited footage of the attacks.
• BBC Verify geolocated the video to an airfield near Sevastopol widely assessed as Kacha, though the extent of damage has not been independently verified.
• Analysts note the Be‑12 fleet is small, and if the aircraft were operational and destroyed, Russia’s available inventory could be significantly reduced.
• HUR also reported separate strikes on three Mi‑8 helicopters and a radar station in Crimea the previous day, and the Kremlin had not commented at the time of reporting.