Ukraine strikes rare Russian Be-12 aircraft in Crimea

Ukraine’s Defense Forces said they struck Russian aviation assets overnight on February 21, 2026, damaging two Beriev Be-12 amphibious aircraft at a military repair facility in occupied Crimea, in what appears to be another targeted effort to erode Russia’s shrinking maritime aviation fleet.

According to a Ukrainian military statement, the aircraft were hit at the Yevpatoria Aviation Repair Plant in the Crimean city of Yevpatoria. The facility is used to maintain and overhaul Russian naval aviation platforms operating over the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials said the extent of the damage is still being assessed.

The Be-12 is a Cold War-era amphibious aircraft originally designed for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. Although its design dates back to the early 1960s, the type has retained a limited role in Russian service, particularly for maritime surveillance, training, and secondary support missions.

As with other legacy flying boats that continue to find niche utility decades after their introduction, the Be-12 persists largely due to the absence of a direct replacement. Only a small number of airframes are believed to remain operational, making any losses difficult to replace.

In the same overnight operation, Ukraine also reported strikes against Russian patrol vessels near Inkerman and a Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Russia has not confirmed the loss or damage of the Be-12 aircraft. As with previous strikes on occupied territory, independent verification remains limited.

Ukraine reports strike on rare Russian Be-12 aircraft in occupied Crimea

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