For first time, Ukraine hits 2 Russian amphibious aircraft in occupied Crimea, intelligence claims, shows footage
For the first time, Ukrainian forces hit two Russian Be-12 Chayka amphibious aircraft in occupied Crimea, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported on Sept. 22.
The attack was carried out on Sept. 21 by HUR’s special unit Prymary ("phantoms"), according to the statement.
"This is the first-ever strike on a Be-12 in history," the agency said. The Prymary unit has been responsible for a number of successful drone strikes against Russian military assets during the full-scale war.
The Soviet-designed Be-12 Chayka (NATO reporting name Mail) is an anti-submarine amphibious aircraft equipped with high-value systems used for detecting and engaging submarines.
Introduced in the 1960s, the aircraft was used by the Soviet Armed Forces and later by the militaries of Russia, Ukraine, and other countries.
Separately, Ukrainian forces also struck one Russian Mi-8 helicopter, HUR claimed.
A day earlier, on Sept. 21, the agency reported it had destroyed three Russian Mi-8 helicopters and a radar station in Crimea.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims
Crimea, illegally occupied by Russia in 2014, has become a frequent target of Ukrainian strikes against military infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.
In the evening of Sept. 21, Ukrainian drones struck the Foros resort in the peninsula, causing damage and casualties, according to Russian proxies.
The alleged target, the Foros Sanatorium, is a luxury resort located near four Russian state dachas — country homes of Russia's political elite.
Earlier strikes against the occupied peninsula throughout August and September targeted Russian naval assets, railway infrastructure, and air defense radar systems.
