SSU shoots down Russian IL 38N aircraft before submarine explosion in Novorossiysk

The Security Service of Ukraine has released new details of the preparation of a special operation to blow up a Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk. The key stage was the destruction of an IL 38N anti-submarine aircraft that could have interfered with the operation of Ukrainian maritime drones.

According to the SSU, the attack on the aircraft was carried out by officers of the Thirteenth Main Directorate of the Military Counterintelligence Department. The Il 38N aircraft was hit at the airbase in Yeysk. This aircraft is designed for maritime reconnaissance, submarine search, control of waters and torpedo strikes and actively countered the use of SSU maritime drones.

The estimated cost of the damaged aircraft is about USD 24 million. In the Black Sea, Russia had only one aircraft of this class capable of detecting the Sub Sea Baby underwater drone as it was moving towards its target. Its disablement ensured the successful completion of the main stage of the operation to destroy the Warsaw Pirate submarine.

The SSU used a modern drone with a surface-to-air warhead equipped with two thousand downward-firing warheads. The explosion took place over the compartment with the main equipment and radars, and the aircraft's engine was also damaged.

The SSU noted that the released footage of the attack demonstrates the real level of security of Russia's strategic facilities, which differs significantly from the official statements of the Russian military leadership. The Security Service emphasised that it will continue to strike at legitimate military targets of the enemy.