Ukraine's naval drones have sunk a Russian patrol ship in the Black Sea resort town of Gelendzhik, an operation that targeted a vessel belonging to Russia's FSB security service. The strike destroyed a 200-foot vessel identified as the Emerald, resulting in casualties among its crew. The incident marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's ongoing maritime drone campaign.
Gelendzhik is located less than 15 miles from a large estate that was the subject of an investigation by the late Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny. In a January 2021 video, Navalny alleged that the closely guarded complex was built for Russian President Vladimir Putin and financed by businessmen close to him, claiming it cost over $1 billion. The video depicted a lavish compound featuring amenities such as a tea house, amphitheater, and helipad.
Putin has denied owning the palace, with businessman Arkady Rotenberg stating he is the owner. Navalny died in an Arctic prison in 2024, with his widow accusing Putin of orchestrating his death, a claim the Kremlin denies.
The destruction of the Emerald is the latest in a series of Ukrainian strikes targeting Russian vessels. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in early July that Russia had lost control of the Black Sea, attributing this to the efforts of the Ukrainian Navy and other defense forces.
Prior to its destruction, the Emerald participated in a November 2018 incident involving Ukrainian vessels in the Kerch Strait. Ukraine has recently intensified its efforts against Russia's shadow fleet, reportedly striking approximately 136 vessels in the Sea of Azov in recent weeks. This includes an operation on July 14 that reportedly destroyed 19 tankers.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in conjunction with naval forces, also recently destroyed two more tankers, the Louise 1 and the Banda, which were allegedly used to transport Russian crude oil in defiance of international sanctions. The SBU stated that these attacks aim to deplete the funds Russia uses to finance its war in Ukraine.
These developments occur amidst a broader pattern of Ukrainian long-range drone and rocket strikes impacting Russian energy infrastructure. Authorities in at least three Russian regions have reported casualties and damage from overnight strikes. In the Yaroslavl region, one person was killed and four injured, with Governor Mikhail Yevrayev reporting that 19 drones were downed. In the Saratov region, casualties were reported following a drone strike on the city of Engels. In the Bryansk region, a 15-year-old girl and her grandmother were killed in a rocket strike on the village of Suzemka. These strikes have contributed to fuel shortages reported in Russia. Ukraine asserts that its actions are aimed at limiting oil revenues that fund Russia's invasion.