A Russian cruise missile struck a Ukrainian-controlled oil platform in the Black Sea, according to multiple sources.
Pro-Russian sources reported that Monday’s strike targeted the Tavrida drilling rig near Zmiinyi (Snake) Island, a location of strategic importance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The strike was reportedly carried out with a Kh-22, a Cold War-era supersonic cruise missile, launched from a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber operating over the Black Sea.
The launch of two supersonic cruise missiles kh-22 from a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber Tu-22.
📹fighter_bomber pic.twitter.com/kAXU9pP5KW— Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) May 11, 2022
Video footage from a Russian surveillance drone showed the missile hitting the base of the platform, causing a large explosion.
🚨⚡️ Devastating strike!
A Kh-22 cruise missile obliterates the Ukrainian “Tavrida” jack-up drilling rig in the Black Sea. pic.twitter.com/M7N9RPXMKi
— RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) June 10, 2025
Tavrida was seized by Russia in 2015 and retaken by Ukraine in 2023.
Russian military bloggers and officials claim the platform was being used as a forward operating base by Ukraine. They said it held electronic warfare equipment, drone refueling stations, communication gear, and personnel from Ukraine’s intelligence agency (GUR). They also allege it was being used to launch naval drone attacks on Crimea.
Sources said the rig was targeted just as Ukrainian forces were preparing drone operations, reportedly aimed at disrupting the forthcoming tourist season in Crimea and the Kuban region.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, disputed Russia’s claims about the platform’s military use. “We use the defense and control towers for other reasons,” he told The War Zone, without providing further details.
The Russia strike came days after Ukraine launched Operation Spiderweb, damaging over 40 Russian aircraft, including Tu-95 “Bear” nuclear bombers and Tu-22M3 “Backfire” bombers. Ukraine claimed that the strike caused an estimated $7 billion in damage and disabled 34% of Russia’s cruise missile carrier fleet.
