Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence announced that its special unit “Phantoms” struck Russian aircraft in occupied Crimea on September 21, hitting two Beriev Be-12 amphibious planes and a Mi-8AMTSh-VN helicopter.
The operation was carried out with strike drones, marking the first recorded destruction of Be-12 aircraft in history.
“On September 21, 2025, in the territory of temporarily occupied Crimea, the specialists of the special unit of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine ‘Phantoms’ hunted down two Russian anti-submarine Be-12 ‘Chaika’ aircraft,” the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) said in a statement. “This is the first destruction of Be-12s in history.”
The Be-12, known by its NATO designation “Mail,” is a Cold War-era amphibious patrol plane first developed in the 1950s. Originally designed for long-endurance missions over seas and oceans, the aircraft can land on water and was also employed in search-and-rescue roles. In recent months, Russia had repurposed its small fleet of Be-12s to monitor and counter Ukraine’s expanding use of explosive drone boats against Russian naval assets in the Black Sea.
The Be-12’s radar capabilities, while dated, have proven useful for detecting small, low-profile targets such as unmanned surface vessels. The aircraft had been deployed by Russia to help safeguard its Black Sea Fleet, which has come under repeated Ukrainian strikes using drones and long-range missiles.
In addition to the two Be-12s, Ukrainian drones also struck a Mi-8AMTSh-VN helicopter, one of Russia’s more modern transport and assault variants. The Mi-8 platform, a workhorse of Russian military aviation, is used for troop transport, logistics, and close air support.
The Ukrainian intelligence service underscored that the attack highlighted both the vulnerability of Russian aviation in Crimea and the adaptability of Ukrainian drone operations. By targeting aircraft on the ground, Ukraine continues to degrade Russia’s ability to conduct patrol and support missions in occupied territory.