- Ukraine’s military intelligence said its drones struck the Russian rail ferry Slavyanin in the Kerch Strait overnight on April 6.
- Kyiv said the ferry was used to transport fuel, weapons, military equipment, and ammunition into occupied Crimea.
Ukraine’s military intelligence said its drones struck the Russian rail ferry Slavyanin overnight on April 6, targeting what Kyiv described as the last rail ferry still being used by Russian forces to move military cargo across the Kerch Strait into occupied Crimea.
The strike was carried out by drones developed by Fire Point company and operated by Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, known as the GUR, according to a statement published by the agency on social media.
Kyiv said the Slavyanin had been playing a key role in sustaining Russian military logistics between mainland Russia and Crimea, transporting fuel, weapons, military equipment, and ammunition across the strait. The Kerch Strait remains one of the most important supply routes for Russian forces deployed in occupied Crimea and in southern Ukraine. Rail ferries are particularly valuable because they allow the direct movement of heavy military cargo that would otherwise depend on road transport or the Kerch Bridge.
The Slavyanin was the last rail ferry still afloat and actively being used by Russian forces for this purpose at the time of the strike.
A rail ferry is a ship designed to carry train cars and heavy rail cargo across bodies of water. In this case, the vessel has reportedly been used to transfer military freight wagons carrying supplies from mainland Russia into Crimea, bypassing other transport bottlenecks.
Ukraine’s military intelligence noted that in March its special operations units had already disabled another Russian rail ferry, the Avangard, and had also damaged the Slavyanin in a previous operation. The vessel had been repaired and returned to service after that earlier attack, allowing Russia to continue using it for military transport.
The latest strike appears to have been intended to once again interrupt that supply route.
Russian logistics through the Kerch Strait have become increasingly important as Ukraine continues to target infrastructure supporting Moscow’s operations in Crimea and the southern theater. Maritime and rail transport links remain essential for moving fuel, ammunition, and heavy equipment into the peninsula.
The Slavyanin reportedly served as a key link in that network, particularly for shipments requiring rail transport.