On September 21, 2025, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Prymary special unit conducted a high-profile strike in temporarily occupied Crimea, successfully destroying two russian Be-12 Chaika anti-submarine amphibious aircraft. This marks the first-ever confirmed combat loss of the Be-12 aircraft, a type that has been in service since the Soviet era but remains valuable to Moscow's fleet due to its specialized anti-submarine role.
The Be-12 aircraft, although outdated in design, is equipped with costly sensors and systems for detecting and targeting submarines. Its destruction represents not just the loss of two aircraft, but also of highly specialized equipment that is difficult to replace under wartime conditions and sanctions.
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During the same operation, the Prymary unit also struck and destroyed russian Mi-8 multipurpose helicopter. This adds to a growing list of russian rotary-wing losses in Crimea, where Ukrainian forces have consistently targeted both aircraft on the ground and in flight.
The Be-12 Chaika aircraft holds symbolic significance for the russian military. Known by its NATO reporting name Mail, it is one of the few amphibious anti-submarine aircraft in operation worldwide. For decades, the Be-12 aircraft had been a mainstay of Soviet and russian maritime patrols, particularly in the Black Sea.
As Defense Express previously reported, the russian military presence in temporarily occupied Crimea has once again suffered losses following a precision operation carried out by the Defense Intelligence's Prymary unit. Ukrainian operatives struck both aircraft and critical radar infrastructure, dealing another blow to russia's military capabilities in the region.
According to official reports, the raid resulted in the destruction of three Mi-8 multipurpose helicopters. These Soviet-designed workhorses are widely used by russia for troop transport, logistics, and battlefield support, making their loss tactically significant.
Read more: Ukraine's Prymary Unit Deals Another Blow: russian Helicopters Burn in Crimea (Video)
