In A First, Ukraine Targets Russian Naval Base With Long-Range Drones In The Caspian Sea

Ukraine carried out a long-range drone attack on a Russian Naval base in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, causing damage to multiple ships in the Caspian Sea, as per Ukrainian military Intelligence sources.

This is the first time Kyiv has ever attacked a target in the Caspian, about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) from the frontline.

Though the extent of the damage is still unknown, it is reported that missile ships from Russia’s Caspian Flotilla, including Dagestan and Tatarstan, are among the impacted warships.

Videos circulating on Ukrainian and Russian social media channels captured low-flying drones with explosions over Kaspiysk’s port.

Guys, don’t get discouraged. Take a look at how the Russians “shot everything down as usual and nothing happened.” I know you love these kinds of videos.

Drone strikes on the Caspian Flotilla in Dagestan have damaged the missile ships ‘Tatarstan’ and ‘Dagestan’,- Ukrainian… pic.twitter.com/wch7rrN2Mj

— Maria Drutska (@maria_drutska) November 6, 2024

Video Credits: Maria Drutska/X

As a precautionary measure, local authorities closed Makhachkala Airport in the regional capital, which is about 15 kilometers from the attacked site.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.

This is Ukraine’s fourth long-range strike in Russia this fall, showing a strategic expansion of Kyiv’s capabilities.

In recent months, Ukrainian-made drones have targeted various Russian sites, including an ammunition depot in Toropets, a weapons stockpile in Kotluban, and a military production facility in Dzerzhinsk, all of which are hundreds of kilometers from Ukrainian territory.

BREAKING:

Ukraine launches a suicide drone swarm attack against the Dagestan region, Russia

Ukrainian drones are striking the main base of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla, safeguarding weapons shipments from Iran.

It’s 1000+ km from the frontlines pic.twitter.com/BIhZBilVxw

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) November 6, 2024

Video Credits: Visegrád 24/X

Per sources within Ukraine’s military intelligence, the targeted Caspian flotilla was involved in missile strikes against Ukraine, while the 177th Marine Regiment stationed there was deployed in combat in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

There have been conflicting reports about the attack’s effectiveness. Ukrainian officials and media sources said that at least two Russian missile ships were damaged.

On the other hand, Sergei Melikov, Dagestan’s regional leader, downplayed the incident, saying that air defense forces successfully intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle over the Caspian Sea.

However, unverified videos from social media show that another drone may have bypassed the defenses, resulting in a massive explosion.

Video Credits: Militarnyi Video news/YouTube

The port of Kaspiysk, which houses the Caspian Flotilla, holds strategic significance.

Per reports, the flotilla’s ships and marine forces stationed there have conducted operations against Ukraine. The area is close to trade routes through which Iran supplies weapons.

Since the full-scale conflict, Ukraine has sought permission from Western allies to use advanced long-range weaponry for attacks deep within Russian territory.

Unable to meet all requirements, Kyiv has begun the construction of its own long-range drones.

Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council’s Countering Disinformation Center, indirectly confirmed the country’s intention to expand its target reach with domestically made drones.

Reference: The War Zone, Bloomberg

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Source: Maritime Shipping News