Ukraine’s military intelligence has reported a significant strike in the Black Sea. Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian patrol boat near the occupied town of Zaliznyi Port in Kherson Oblast on August 20, killing five crew members in the attack.
Attack near Zaliznyi Port in Kherson Oblast
Ukrainian forces carried out the strike with the help of advanced technology. They used a missile as the main weapon, but a laser system guided it to the target. A drone flying above the sea operated this laser throughout the attack. The drone helped ensure the missile hit its exact target.
Zaliznyi Port, where the attack took place, was once known as a busy resort town on the Black Sea. Families used to visit it for holidays. However, since 2022, it has been under Russian occupation. The town lies about 60 kilometers, or 37 miles, south of the city of Kherson.
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The destruction of the patrol boat near Zaliznyi Port highlights the ongoing fighting in the Black Sea region. Both sides have been using advanced tools and weapons to gain an edge in the conflict.
Role of laser-guided technology
Reports say that the missile used in this strike was not just an ordinary one. It was supported by laser technology. A drone in the sky carried a laser designator, which is a device that points an invisible beam of light at a target. The missile then follows that light to strike with high accuracy.
Laser-guided weapons are known for their precision. Unlike unguided missiles that can miss their target, these systems increase the chances of a direct hit. The use of drones to guide the strike makes the weapon even more effective. It allows attacks to be launched from a distance, while the drone ensures the missile does not lose its path.
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Ukraine has not used laser-guided weapons for the first time in this strike. Past reports mentioned that Ukrainian forces deployed such technology against Russian forces. However, officials have not always made details about their use public.
The latest operation near Zaliznyi Port shows how drones and lasers are now playing an important role in modern warfare. Instead of relying only on heavy artillery or large warships, forces are turning to advanced guidance systems to strike targets with accuracy.
Recent operations in Zaliznyi Port and Kherson Oblast
The Black Sea has been a hotspot for clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces. The waters are not only important for trade and travel but also for military operations. Patrol boats play a key role in controlling parts of the sea and supporting ground troops near the coast.
In late July, Ukrainian special units carried out another strike in the Kherson region. That operation took place on the Tendra Spit, an island off the coast of the oblast. Reports from that mission said Russian weapons and troops were destroyed. The Tendra Spit is a narrow stretch of land surrounded by the Black Sea and is considered strategically important.
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Now, with the latest attack near Zaliznyi Port, the focus has once again turned to the occupied areas of Kherson Oblast. The destruction of the Russian patrol boat adds to a series of strikes in this region. Each attack shows how the coastline and surrounding waters continue to be an active front line.
The combination of drones, lasers, and missiles has given Ukraine new ways to strike at sea. This method allows forces to carry out attacks with less risk of missing their target and with higher chances of damaging enemy equipment. The killing of five crew members in this latest strike near Zaliznyi Port further underlines the deadly impact of such precision-based operations.