On September 11, 2024, Ukrainian special operations unit carried out a daring raid near the coast of temporarily occupied Crimea. Fighters of the Raven Group, operating under the Timur special unit of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, achieved a tactical first, launching FPV drones directly from boats in open waters.
This unique capability allowed the unit to conduct precision strikes without relying on land-based platforms, significantly expanding the operational flexibility of Ukrainian drone forces. The moment was captured in exclusive combat footage released by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, showcasing the team's expertise and innovation under high-risk conditions.
Read more: Ukrainian Artillery Destroys Three russian Long-Range Guns in Precision Strike (Video)
The mission's main target was temporarily occupied gas drilling platform in the Black Sea – the Petro Hodovants rig. The platform has reportedly been used by russian forces as a surveillance and weapons position since the early stages of the full-scale invasion. By launching drones from boats, Ukrainian operators were able to strike the installation from an unexpected vector.
Ukrainian FPV drones successfully neutralized russian firing positions on the platform, suppressing enemy resistance and enabling further stages of the maritime operation. The strike demonstrated not only the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone warfare but also the growing ability of the special units to integrate air, sea, and electronic warfare components in complex missions.
This operation also highlights the strategic value of the Black Sea and its offshore infrastructure in the ongoing war. Platforms like the Petro Hodovants have become militarized outposts, and Ukraine's ability to contest and strike these positions underlines a shift in tactical momentum.
While Ukraine has used FPV drones extensively on land, especially in trench warfare and assault scenarios, this is the first known case of maritime-based FPV strikes. It opens new tactical possibilities for future raids and further disrupts russia's sense of security even in maritime zones.
The successful use of FPV drones from sea platforms represents another example of how Ukrainian forces continue to adapt and innovate, turning asymmetric tactics into strategic advantages.
As Defense Express previously reported, on the night of August 28, a special forces unit from the Department of Active Operations of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine conducted a combat operation in the northern Black Sea region. The group landed on the Tendra Spit, a narrow strip of land under temporary russian occupation, and carried out a targeted strike against enemy positions.
Read more: Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Forces Land on the Tendrivska Spit, Destroy russian Equipment
