By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On August 28, 2025, a Buyan-M class missile vessel, capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, was targeted by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) in the Sea of Azov near occupied Crimea. The DIU reported that the Prymary Special Unit employed an aerial drone to damage the vessel’s radar system. Simultaneously, special forces from the Department of Active Operations struck the hull of the Russian corvette, causing it to sustain damage and withdraw from its combat duty location. This operation follows a recent DIU report of an uncrewed surface vessel attack in Novorossiysk Bay.
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Ukrainian intelligence hits Russian cruise missile carrier in Azov Sea, and that’s the headline everyone’s talking about. A Buyan-M class missile vessel, a significant player in Russia’s naval arsenal, took a hit near temporarily occupied Crimea on August 28, 2025. The operation, a joint effort by Ukraine’s Department of Active Operations and the Prymary Special Unit of Defence Intelligence, targeted this warship, designed to carry those infamous Kalibr cruise missiles. The fact that the Ukrainian intelligence managed to strike a vessel in the Sea of Azov is, frankly, quite impressive.
The immediate aftermath of the attack brings up a few interesting points. According to reports, the explosion damaged this vessel. If this is true, this may have rendered the ship vulnerable to other attacks like Neptunes missiles or even more drones.
Of course, Russia, as expected, quickly released its own statement. Their version of events is that nothing was hit, that everything was successfully intercepted, and that any debris merely “fell” on the vessel, with “no consequences.” It’s a classic deflection, isn’t it? You’d almost expect them to claim the vessel had spontaneously transformed into a submarine to avoid any further “incidents.” It’s tough to tell what actually happened, but it’s clear that Ukrainian forces targeted a vessel designed to fire a lot of missiles fast.
The implications of this attack extend beyond the immediate damage. These Buyan-M class vessels are crucial components of Russia’s naval operations, able to launch cruise missiles that can strike targets hundreds of miles away. Taking one out, or even significantly damaging it, is a blow to Russia’s ability to project power and terrorize civilian populations. It is a direct hit at its war capability.
The timing of the attack is also worth considering. Russia has been trying to maintain a presence in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, despite the ongoing conflict. This operation sends a clear message: nowhere is truly safe. The Ukrainians are making a statement that the aggressor is not untouchable.
Let’s also be frank: it’s great to know that the individuals serving on these vessels, who probably thought they would be relatively safe while carrying out their operations against civilian targets, now live in constant fear. The reality of war is that it changes everything.
It’s a powerful testament to the courage and resourcefulness of the Ukrainian forces that they’re managing to target these important vessels in this environment. They are fighting against a military giant, and yet, they’re making significant moves. It’s truly something.
The speculation, of course, is running rampant. Did the US Poseidon-8 that was seen buzzing around the Black Sea provide vital intelligence? It’s a good question to ponder given the level of cooperation and intelligence sharing that we have seen throughout the conflict. It is something that would certainly add fuel to the fire in the minds of the Russians.
The response from both sides highlights the nature of modern warfare: denial, propaganda, and the constant search for the upper hand. Russia tries to downplay the significance of the event, while Ukraine celebrates a strategic victory. This is not some kind of accident. The success of the Ukrainian intelligence is very well played.
While it’s still unclear exactly what happened to the vessel, the fact that a successful strike occurred is a major victory for Ukraine. It demonstrates their commitment to defend their freedom. This is another example of Ukraine doing what they have to, regardless of the seemingly insurmountable odds.
Slava Ukraini!