The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has officially confirmed that, during the night of February 25, its long-range strike drone operators attacked multiple targets deep inside russia. Among them were three vessels in the Caspian Sea, one warship and two cargo ships, as well as the Filanovsky offshore oil platform.
According to the SSU, one of the vessels struck was the Port Olya 2 general cargo ship, owned by the sanctioned russian shipping company MG-Flot LLC. According to the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) War & Sanctions database, the vessel has been used to transport military cargo from Iran to russia.
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Another target was the Begey, a cargo vessel sailing under the russian flag. It has reportedly transported military supplies, including ammunition, artillery shells, body armor, and helmets, while at times deliberately disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS) to conceal its movements.
The attack also targeted a Project 12418 Molniya-class missile boat.
From Defense Express's perspective, these strikes are a logical continuation of Ukraine's growing ability to engage military targets in the Caspian Sea. Located roughly 1,000 km in a straight line from potential Ukrainian launch areas, the region is within the reach of Ukraine's long-range drones and cruise missiles.
Earlier this May, the Ukrainian Defense Forces also struck a Project 22800 Karakurt-class missile corvette in the Caspian Sea. These vessels carry Kalibr cruise missiles, which russia has repeatedly used to launch attacks against Ukraine from the Caspian.
Attacks on cargo ships transporting weapons from Iran to russia were also widely expected. Back in April, russia and Iran took advantage of the ceasefire with the United States to significantly increase military cargo traffic across the Caspian Sea. Merchant vessels involved in those deliveries became both legitimate and highly valuable military targets for Ukraine.
It is also worth recalling that Ukraine has already demonstrated its ability to destroy cargo vessels in the Caspian. Nearly a year ago, in August 2025, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces sank the Port Olya 4 cargo ship. As Defense Express explained at the time, the operation ranked among the most technically demanding long-range strikes carried out by Ukrainian forces.
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