Ukrainian Drone Hits Russian Warship at Kaspiysk Naval Base in Dagestan

In a rare and far-reaching strike, Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian Caspian Sea Fleet’s base in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, located roughly 650 miles behind the frontline. Footage shows a low-flying drone crashing into a Russian military vessel, sparking a fireball explosion and sending clouds of smoke into the sky, which local residents observed from a nearby pier.

The Ukrainian strike on the Caspian Sea Fleet reportedly employed the A-22 Flying Fox drone, a modified small aircraft adapted for long-range, high-endurance missions. Originally a lightweight reconnaissance aircraft, the A-22 has been converted by Ukraine to carry out strategic strikes over vast distances, leveraging its extended range and payload capabilities.

Key Details of the Latest Attack

Attack Footage and Immediate Reaction

Video from a neighboring ship reveals the drone hitting a Russian warship, triggering panic among sailors who scrambled to safety moments before the explosion. Ukrainian military intelligence claimed that the strike involved four drones and hit at least three Russian warships. According to sources, the targeted ships included the missile vessels RFS Tatarstan 691 and RFS Dagestan 693.

Local Authorities’ Response:

Sergey Melikov, head of the Dagestan government, confirmed the presence of multiple drones over Kaspiysk, with one shot down. “The circumstances of the incident are now being clarified,” he stated. “An operational headquarters has been established, and we are in constant contact with responsible authorities. All necessary decisions will be made to ensure residents’ safety.”

Adaptation of Civilian Drones for Military Purposes

The Ukrainian strike reportedly involved the A-22 Flying Fox drone - previous mentions refer to A-22 Sharik or A-22 Foxbat - described as a converted lightweight aircraft with long-range capabilities.

The A-22, initially designed as a lightweight reconnaissance tool with a civilian focus, is part of a broader class of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) increasingly used for tactical advantages by integrating improvised weaponry.

Baza, a Telegram channel linked to Russian security services, confirmed the A-22’s involvement in the strike on Kaspiysk, stating, “Kaspiysk was preliminarily attacked by an A-22 Flying Fox drone.”

The Need for Pragmatic and Cost-Efficient Solutions

Current frontline realities confirm the need for accessible, versatile technologies that can be readily modified for combat roles. The use of an A-22 for an attack in Tatarstan exemplifies the potential of such drones to infiltrate areas where conventional, high-visibility weaponry may struggle to reach undetected.

Modifications to drones like the A-22 often include payload adaptations to carry explosives, which, while limited in scale, can target specific infrastructure with notable impact. This approach has been documented in other conflicts where commercial UAVs are modified with GPS-guided components, allowing for greater precision in urban and industrial settings. Given their affordability and ease of deployment, these drones are particularly suited to asymmetric warfare, providing smaller military forces or irregular groups with a cost-effective method to conduct targeted strikes.

A-22 Attack in Tatarstan in April 2024

Already earlier this year, a modified A-22 reconnaissance drone, commonly used for civilian applications, has been weaponized and deployed to target a facility in Tatarstan, Russia. Footage circulating on X (formerly Twitter) shows the drone’s approach and impact on the industrial plant, demonstrating a growing trend of low-cost, commercially available drones being adapted for offensive military use.

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Großwald Curated: Technical Details: A-22 Flying Fox Drone

The drone’s design emphasizes simplicity and reach rather than high speed, making it ideal for long-haul, low-altitude missions that bypass traditional air defenses.

• Range and Endurance: The A-22 Flying Fox is notable for its significant operational range, estimated to be over 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles). This long-range capability enables it to penetrate deep into hostile territory, as demonstrated in this recent strike nearly 1,000 miles from Ukrainian-controlled areas.
• Payload Adaptability: The A-22 can carry a modest payload suitable for precision strikes. While it lacks the explosive payload capacity of traditional military drones, the A-22’s payload can be tailored for targeted attacks on specific military installations, making it effective in anti-ship or high-value asset engagements.
• Operational Strategy: The drone’s slow but steady flight profile allows it to evade early detection and navigate beneath radar systems, exploiting gaps in Russia’s extensive air defense network. Ukrainian forces have increasingly utilized this model to circumvent fortified regions that standard artillery or missiles might struggle to reach.

Strategic Implications and Background

Ukraine’s Expanding Drone Tactics:

The Caspian Sea was considered a secure area for Russian operations, and the attack marks the first time a Ukrainian drone has reached this base. HI Sutton, a naval analyst, noted, “The Caspian Sea Fleet has been quite active, firing missiles at targets in Ukraine since the start of the war. Many have been waiting months for this strike.”

Russia’s Use of the Caspian Fleet in Ukraine:

Since the onset of the conflict, Russia’s Caspian Fleet has reportedly conducted missile strikes against Ukrainian cities, with the 177th Marine Regiment stationed in Kaspiysk playing roles in battles across Ukraine, including in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Military experts point to the Caspian as an important conduit for Iran-Russia arms exchanges, including drones and missiles.

Moscow’s Response and International Impact:

Moscow has yet to officially confirm damage to the fleet, but the event underscores Ukraine’s increasing reach and the strategic use of drones to circumvent NATO’s restrictions on firing long-range missiles into Russian territory. Ukrainian drones have recently struck sites in Siberia, the Arctic, and last week hit a Russian special forces training center in Chechnya.

Broader Conflict Developments

Ukrainian Gains in Kursk Region

Kyiv announced the capture of 717 Russian soldiers since launching an unexpected offensive into the Kursk region, an area near Russia’s border, in August. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky shared on social media, “One objective of this cross-border operation is to secure prisoners for exchanges with captured Ukrainian troops.” President Zelensky echoed the goal, aiming to leverage captured soldiers in negotiations.

Prisoner Exchanges Ongoing

Despite nearly three years of hostilities, both Ukraine and Russia continue coordinating prisoner exchanges. Since February 2022, the two sides have conducted dozens of swaps, reflecting a sustained diplomatic channel amid continued combat.

The strike on the Caspian base highlights Ukraine’s evolving approach in targeting Russian assets beyond traditionally contested areas, leveraging drone technology to apply pressure on Moscow’s military logistics and supply lines.

Sources: Telegram, Kyiv Post, Daily Mail, Reuters, Atlantic Council