While preparing for the strike on the submarine in Novorossiysk on 15 December, officers of the 13th Main Directorate of the SBU’s Military Counterintelligence Department struck a modernised Il-38N Sea Dragon reconnaissance aircraft at the Yeysk airbase, which could have prevented the strike on the Russian submarine.
This was reported by the SBU.
The Il-38N reconnaissance aircraft is designed for maritime reconnaissance, searching for submarines, controlling water areas, laying mine barriers and launching torpedo strikes. The destroyed aircraft actively counteracted the work of the SBU’s maritime drones. The approximate cost of this aircraft is $24 million.
‘In the Black Sea, the Russians had only one aircraft of this class capable of detecting the Sub Sea Baby underwater drone as it moved towards its target. The destruction of this anti-submarine aircraft ensured the successful completion of the main part of the special operation – the destruction of the Varshavianka-class submarine,’ the SBU said.
To destroy the Il-38N, the SBU used a modern drone with an above-ground warhead equipped with two thousand downward-facing striking elements. The explosion occurred directly above the compartment with the main equipment and radars, and also damaged the engine.
