ASTRA: Ukrainian forces strike Russia’s FSB “Purga” vessel PHOTO

On the night of March 25, a vessel at the Vyborg Shipyard was hit as part of an operation by Ukraine’s Defence Forces, ASTRA reports, citing the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“According to preliminary information, it is the Project 23550 patrol icebreaker Purga, which was intended for use by the Border Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation. Such vessels are capable of performing both icebreaking and combat functions,” the Ukrainian command said.

The General Staff did not specify the extent of the damage or the method of the strike. ASTRA verified that eyewitness photos were indeed taken in the area of the Vyborg Shipyard.

A pro-war Telegram channel specialising in naval affairs did not rule out sabotage.

“Given the absence of visible signs of an explosion or fire, sabotage is also possible,” the channel “Zapiski Michmana Ptichkina” noted.

In October 2022, the specialised outlet Paluba Media reported that the Purga, a Project 23550 border patrol ship, had been launched at the Vyborg Shipyard.

At the time, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, Georgy Poltavchenko, stated that the icebreaker Purga was “well-equipped with both defensive and offensive systems.” According to Paluba Media, he described it as “a heavily armed ice-class vessel with broad capabilities and its own helicopter complement.”

Project 23550 vessels are designed to protect Arctic maritime resources, escort ships, tow detained vessels to port, and support auxiliary fleets. The icebreaker is also capable of engaging maritime, coastal, and aerial targets, and can operate in ice up to approximately 1.7 metres thick.

Earlier, ASTRA reported that following a UAV attack in Vyborg, the roof of a cultural heritage building—the former Agricola joint-stock company house—caught fire. The building is located opposite the FSB border directorate. Damage to the roof of the residential building was confirmed by the Governor of the Leningrad Region, Alexander Drozdenko, who also reported that 56 UAVs had been shot down over the region.