Ukrainian Defense Forces strike Black Sea gas tower used by Russia
Photo: spokesperson of the Ukraininan Navy Dmytro Pletenchuk (facebook com Taclbery)
Ukrainian defenders attacked a gas platform in the Black Sea, resulting in a fire, according to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk and the Telegram channel Crimean Wind.
A video of an alleged attack on a gas platform in the Black Sea was shared online today, August 10. Unconfirmed reports suggest Russia had installed technical reconnaissance equipment and had up to 40 personnel stationed on the platform.
The Ukrainian Navy spokesperson confirmed the strike on the platform. Pletenchuk stated that it was an operation conducted by the Ukrainian Navy and the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.
"Yes, the Russian occupiers were using this location for GPS spoofing to endanger civilian shipping. We cannot allow this. And yes, half a day before the attack, Russia placed equipment and military personnel on the platform. There were no civilians present. The platform was not performing its normal functions," he says.
The Ukrainian Navy spokesperson later hid his post on Facebook.
Tower importance
Later, Dmytro Pletenchuk explained how the Russian occupiers used the damaged gas tower. According to him, this location was not used regularly.
"It was used to install various equipment, including GPS spoofing. This is a deliberate action when electronic warfare devices send false GPS signals to interfere with systems that are guided by them. Given that this is the northern part of the Western Sea, this could affect the operation of our grain corridor and the safety of civilian shipping," the Ukrainian Navy spokesperson said.
He noted that the Russians also transferred relevant personnel to the platform. Pletenchuk emphasized that Russian losses need to be further investigated and clarified. However, it is known for sure that there were no civilian personnel there, only military.
The Crimean Wind Telegram channel reports that a fire broke out on the tower after the strike and was extinguished.
Photo: a fire broke out at a gas tower in the Black Sea (t.me/Crimeanwind)
Photo: a fire broke out at a gas tower in the Black Sea (t.me/Crimeanwind)
What platform Ukrainian Defense Forces hit?
Ukrainian Defense Express reports that, according to satellite monitoring by NASA, the attack occurred on August 8-9.
Analysts indicate that the gas platform targeted is located in the Stormove gas condensate field. Likely, the captured by the Russian offshore platform No. 17 (OP-17) was hit.
As early as 2014, Russia installed a Neva-BS radar station and hydroacoustic detection equipment on OP-17.
Defense Express does not rule out that after 2022, the Russian occupiers may have increased the number and types of reconnaissance, surveillance, electronic warfare, and communication equipment at this site.
Boyko Towers
Recall that on September 11, 2023, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine announced that it had regained control of the so-called Boyko Towers. Before this, Ukraine had launched a missile strike on the platforms.
These are oil and gas drilling platforms located near the coast of occupied Crimea in the Black Sea. Russia captured the platforms in 2014 following the occupation of the peninsula.
The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine explained that regaining control of this site deprived Russia of the ability to conduct reconnaissance in the air, on the sea, and on land.
