Ukrainian Special Forces Score Hit On Russian Su-30 In Dramatic Sea Encounter

A Ukrainian military operation reportedly resulted in a Russian Su-30 fighter jet taking damage and retreating, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, the HUR. The incident was recorded in a video released by the agency, Business Insider reported.

The Ukrainian special forces on three small boats engaged the Russian jet, eventually hitting it with a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) supplied by the U.S. and other countries. After taking damage, the jet fled the battle scene.

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The incident was part of a larger operation to regain control over offshore oil and gas drilling platforms near Crimea, which Russia had taken over in 2015. Ukraine reported successfully retaking the platforms on Monday. The New York Times had previously reported that Russian forces were using the platforms as floating military bases.

The HUR said the operation was of strategic importance to Ukraine as it effectively ended Russia’s ability to use the platforms for military purposes. Russia has yet to comment on the claims made by Ukraine.

The operation’s exact date is unclear, but the U.K. Defence Intelligence had noted “high tensions in the Black Sea” and skirmishes between maritime and air forces around the platforms in an Aug. 27 update.

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Photo by Milan Sommer on Shutterstock