- Ukraine’s military intelligence received a domestically developed armed patrol boat funded by the Diana Podolianchuk Foundation, according to an official statement.
- The vessel is intended to support maritime operations in the Black Sea and has entered service with the GUR’s Viking maritime operations unit.
Ukraine’s military intelligence confirmed the delivery of a newly developed armed patrol boat to the Main Directorate of Intelligence on January 1, describing it as a New Year’s transfer to support maritime operations.
According to a statement released by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine, the specialized vessel was purchased and handed over by the Diana Podolianchuk Foundation. The boat is a domestically developed design and is described as the first of its kind produced in Ukraine, with few comparable platforms currently available on the global market.
The vessel is intended to provide fire cover and direct support for maritime operations conducted by Ukrainian military intelligence units. It is equipped with a modular weapons configuration that allows for the installation of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers, with weapon types interchangeable depending on mission requirements.
“Thank you to everyone who joined the implementation of this project. Thanks to such boats, we can confidently conduct special operations on water and fight for our Black Sea,” said Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, in a statement accompanying the handover.
The boat’s hull sides and cabin are fitted with anti-fragmentation and bullet-resistant protection, while each firing position is equipped with its own armored shield. The platform is also outfitted with modern navigation equipment, communications systems, and command-and-control tools, allowing it to be employed effectively in a wide range of operational conditions.
The Diana Podolianchuk Foundation said the cost of the vessel was 20 million hryvnias. “Today is a great day, because we are transferring a boat worth 20 million hryvnias that we worked on for a very long time. The boat was developed by a huge team—engineers, manufacturers, fighters, and commanders. Thank you to everyone who joined, because without you it would have been impossible to implement such a project,” said foundation head Diana Podolianchuk.
According to the intelligence service, the boat’s hull design and powerful engines allow operations across the entire Black Sea area, including sectors where Russian forces may not expect maritime activity. The vessel can carry up to two tons of payload, making it one of the largest boats currently in the inventory of Ukraine’s military intelligence.
The patrol boat measures more than 10 meters in length, has a width of 3.6 meters, and a draft of 0.7 meters, enabling both coastal and open-water operations. Its size and carrying capacity allow it to transport personnel, weapons, and mission equipment while maintaining high maneuverability.
“This is a great boat that meets all our requirements. It is extremely maneuverable, protected, and has very good firepower,” said a crew member identified by the call sign “Swede,” according to the statement.
Following the transfer, the vessel entered service with the Center for Maritime Operations “Viking,” which operates under the Active Actions Department of Ukraine’s military intelligence.