Ukraine long-range strikes: from Mediterranean to Caspian

December 20, 2025December 21, 2025

Ukraine long-range strikes have reached a new level of sophistication. It seems Ukrainian security agencies launched a genuine competition to see who can deliver the most devastating blow against deep enemy targets.

Mediterranean Tanker: Targeting the “Responsible Comrades”

First came reports that an enemy shadow fleet tanker got attacked in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The strike may have sent a Russian general aboard that tanker straight to hell. Various sources reported that the target of the attack wasn’t the tanker itself, but rather the “responsible comrades” on board, including Deputy Chief of the Main Directorate of the Orc* General Staff, General Averyanov.

This is entirely possible. Of all known tanker attacks, this is the only one where aerial drones served as the strike weapon. This may indicate something crucial — the attack aimed not at the tanker itself but at the personnel aboard the vessel. If we assume that the drones were liquidating Russian intelligence officers on deck, then we can only imagine the level of operational awareness our specialists possess, as well as their ability to deliver such strikes far from Ukraine’s shores.

Caspian Sea: Oil Platform and Patrol Ship Destroyed

Before this news had spread across all channels, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) reported another attack on enemy assets in the Caspian Sea. Moreover, along with the oil platform, a Russian patrol ship also got hit:

…Special Operations Forces units struck the Russian Project 22460 ship “Okhотник”. These are modern Russian second-rank patrol ships that combine capabilities for maritime border protection, patrolling, and monitoring the maritime situation. They have weapons and equipment to perform a wide range of tasks in coastal waters.

Several SOF drones successfully hit the target. Special Operations Forces drones also struck the drilling platform at the Filanovsky oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea. The facility belongs to Lukoil. The platform ensures oil and gas extraction, the export of which fills russia’s budget and finances the war…

Thus, we’re talking about another strike on Orc assets in the northern part of the Caspian Sea. As we remember, several strikes on oil platforms have already been carried out. Logic suggested that the enemy would be obliged to pull some military ships into this area to cover the oil assets. And here they did it. In the Black Sea, the adversary has long since stopped daring to use its flotilla. In the Caspian Sea, there had been no attacks on military vessels yet. Therefore, the enemy directed a patrol ship to the oil platform deployment area, which was successfully struck.

Belbek Airfield: Two Su-27s and a Control Tower

And just when this news had grown detailed, the SBU announced that overnight they managed to successfully reach Belbek airfield in temporarily occupied Sevastopol once again. There, they delivered strikes on two Su-27 aircraft. One of them carried a full weapons load. Apparently, it was preparing to repel a drone attack, but the drones turned out to be smarter. In the end, the SBU writes:

Long-range drones from the SBU ‘Alpha’ Special Operations Center struck two Su-27 aircraft at the Russian Belbek military airfield in temporarily occupied Crimea. One of the aircraft was on the taxiway with a full combat load and was ready for a combat sortie. It was destroyed. The estimated cost of both aircraft is approximately 70 million US dollars. Additionally confirmed is the strike on the control tower, which may complicate the organization and control of flights at the airfield.

The last sentence should be perceived as sarcasm and humor from the SBU. Obviously, more drones entered the operational area than even the most optimistic calculations predicted. And after the aircraft ran out, the remaining drones started taking down everything within reach, including the control tower. And let’s remind you that this is already the third visit to this airfield over the past few days. Before this, the good birds eradicated practically all radars showing signs of life, and accordingly, a window of opportunity opened up, through which they’re now hammering away wholeheartedly and without embarrassment.

Ukraine long-range strikes continue to demonstrate the growing capabilities of Ukrainian forces. They can reach enemy assets anywhere — from the Mediterranean to the Caspian Sea, and deep into occupied territories.

*Orcs – a common term for Russians who support or participate in the armed aggression against Ukraine. Dehumanizing? Yes. Accurate? Also yes.