Aviation News – A Russian Naval Aviation Beriev Be-200 amphibious aircraft was destroyed on 15 May 2026 after a Ukrainian Starlink-enabled one-way attack drone struck the aircraft while it was parked on the ramp at Yeysk Air Base in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. The strike highlights Ukraine’s growing ability to hit valuable military assets deep inside Russian territory.
The destroyed aircraft, a Beriev Be-200 flying boat, is a specialized amphibious platform used by Russia for maritime patrol, search-and-rescue, and logistical support missions. The incident occurred at Yeysk Air Base, a key facility supporting Russian Naval Aviation operations in southern Russia. The attack reflects Ukraine’s expanding use of long-range precision drone operations aimed at degrading critical Russian military infrastructure.
The reported use of a Starlink-enabled attack drone underscores how commercially available satellite communication technology continues to reshape modern warfare. By enabling beyond-line-of-sight control and improved targeting, such systems allow operators to strike fixed high-value assets with increasing precision. The loss of a rare Be-200 also carries operational consequences, as the aircraft is not easily replaced.
