Ukrainian forces strike Russian ship, oil platform in Caspian Sea

Ukrainian forces launched attacks on several Russian military and economic targets in the Caspian Sea overnight on December 19.

According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Special Operations Forces (SOF), drones targeted a Russian Navy vessel, the Project 22460 patrol ship Okhotnik, which had been operating near energy infrastructure. Several drones struck the ship, though the extent of the damage remains unclear.

In addition, a drilling platform at the Filanovskoye oil and gas field, owned by Lukoil, was hit. The platform plays a key role in oil and gas production, revenues from which contribute to the Russian state budget and are reportedly used to fund the war against Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have yet to confirm the full scale of the damage or whether the platform can continue operating.

The Special Operations Forces said the strikes form part of ongoing asymmetric operations designed to weaken Russia’s military and economic capabilities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev