Ukraine Strikes Russian Caspian Port of Kaspiysk with UAV Damages Navy Vessels.

According to information published by the UK MoD on November 15, 2024, Ukraine executed a daring Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) strike on the Caspian port of Kaspiysk in Russia. The port, a critical hub for the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla, is reported to have hosted multiple naval vessels at the time, with at least two Gepard-class frigates sustaining damage.
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Russian Navy's Project 11661 (Gepard-class) frigate Tatarstan. (Picture source: Artem Balabin)

The Gepard-class frigates, also known as Project 11661, are warships developed by Russia as a successor to earlier designs like the Koni-class frigates and Grisha-class corvettes. Built for multi-role capabilities, these ships are designed to engage surface vessels, submarines, and aerial threats.

The lead ship of the class, originally named Yastreb and later renamed Tatarstan, was constructed at the Zelenodolsk Zavod shipyard. Although laid down in 1991, funding challenges delayed its completion, and it was eventually commissioned in 2002 as the flagship of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla. The Gepard-class features a displacement of up to 1,930 tons at full load, with a length of 102.4 meters and a beam of 13.09 meters. Its propulsion system uses a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) configuration, allowing a top speed of 29 knots and an operational range of approximately 4,000 nautical miles at 10 knots.

The frigates are armed with a variety of weapon systems, including the AK-176M naval gun, Uran-E or Club-N missile systems for anti-ship and land-attack roles, and air defense systems like the Palma gun/missile system. For anti-submarine warfare, the ships are equipped with torpedo tubes and rocket launchers. Additionally, they support aviation operations with a helipad and hangar capable of accommodating a Ka-28 or Ka-31 helicopter.

While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, initial assessments suggest that any impairments to the vessels are likely to be swiftly repaired. This marks a rare instance of direct Ukrainian action against Russia’s Caspian Flotilla. The flotilla, heavily involved in launching missile attacks on Ukraine during 2022, has maintained a lower profile in 2023-2024.

The strike appears to be a retaliatory measure for Russia’s continued missile attacks on Ukrainian territory. The attack sends a broader message, demonstrating Ukraine's capacity to penetrate Russian defenses and target assets deep within Russian territory.

Prior to reaching its target, the UAV is believed to have traversed a significant expanse of Russian territory without being intercepted. This raises critical questions about the effectiveness of Russian air defense systems and will likely alarm Russian political and military leadership.

The strike underscores Ukraine’s evolving drone warfare capabilities, even as the operational tempo in the Black Sea remains relatively low. By targeting a port in the Caspian region, Ukraine has highlighted its capacity to project power beyond the immediate conflict zones, challenging Russian assumptions about the safety of its naval assets in peripheral areas.

For Russia, the attack serves as a stark reminder of vulnerabilities in its defensive posture, especially against UAV incursions. This could prompt Moscow to bolster air defense coverage in areas previously considered secure, diverting resources from other theaters.