Ukraine has struck a Russian Buyan-M missile corvette in the Sea of Azov with aerial drones, damaging its radar and hull. The attack highlights Kyiv’s growing asymmetric naval strategy, undermining Moscow’s missile strike capability and signaling that Russian inland waters are no longer secure.
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported on August 28, 2025, that a Russian Buyan-M-class missile corvette was struck by airborne drones in the Sea of Azov, damaging its radar and hull. The ship, armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, was forced to withdraw from a potential launch position, reducing Russia’s immediate strike capability in the region. Kyiv released footage showing two drones hitting the vessel, underscoring Ukraine’s ability to deliver precision attacks against high-value naval targets.
The Buyan-M corvette has been a key platform for Russia’s long-range missile strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure. Its temporary removal highlights vulnerabilities in Moscow’s inland fleet despite extensive air defenses and decoy measures. Analysts note that Ukraine’s use of drones reflects an asymmetric strategy: low-cost unmanned systems eroding expensive Russian assets over time.
This attack extends Ukraine’s earlier naval campaign, which disabled several Black Sea Fleet ships. By reaching into the Azov, Ukraine demonstrates that no Russian-controlled waters are beyond its operational range. “Drones remain highly effective at bypassing traditional naval defenses,” defense analyst Mykhailo Samus told Business Insider (Aug. 28, 2025).
While the strike alone is unlikely to shift the overall balance of the war, it reinforces a broader trend: Russia’s naval dominance is increasingly contested. Continued Ukrainian drone operations could further restrict Moscow’s freedom of action at sea and diminish its capacity to project power inland.