Ukraine has claimed a historic military first in its ongoing war with Russia, asserting that a maritime drone successfully shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet over the Black Sea. According to Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), the strike was carried out by Group 13, a special operations unit operating sea-based drones, marking what the agency calls the first recorded downing of a combat aircraft by a maritime unmanned platform. The event reportedly occurred near the port city of Novorossiisk on Friday and underscores Kyiv’s increasing reliance on asymmetric warfare technologies.
While the Russian defence ministry has not officially acknowledged the claim, the prominent pro-Kremlin military blogger Rybar confirmed the loss of the jet on Telegram, stating that the pilots had ejected safely and were rescued by a civilian vessel. Rybar’s post lends credibility to Ukraine’s announcement, even in the absence of a formal Kremlin statement.
The reported downing of the Su-30 — a twin-engine, supersonic fighter and one of the mainstays of Russia’s aerial fleet — demonstrates the growing sophistication of Ukraine’s drone capabilities. By targeting an aircraft from a sea platform, Kyiv has introduced a new threat vector into a war already defined by extensive drone warfare in the air and on land.
State of Emergency in Novorossiisk and Widening Civilian Impact
Following the drone strike, the mayor of Novorossiisk declared a state of emergency on Saturday. Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian drones had damaged a grain terminal and multiple residential buildings in the area. Five people were injured in the attack. While Ukraine has not directly confirmed responsibility for the Novorossiisk drone strikes, the timing suggests a coordinated campaign aimed at undermining critical infrastructure and military assets along the Black Sea coast.
This development also highlights the strategic value of Novorossiisk, a major logistics and naval hub for Russia, particularly since the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the southern region has placed additional pressure on supply lines and port access.
Zelenskyy Dismisses Putin’s Proposed Truce as ‘Theatrics’
In a related diplomatic twist, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a surprise three-day ceasefire proposal announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The truce, scheduled to coincide with Russia’s annual Victory Day commemorations on 9 May, was dismissed by Zelenskyy as “a theatrical performance,” adding that such a brief pause is insufficient to initiate real peace talks or withdrawal plans.
“This is more of a theatrical performance on his part, because in two or three days it is impossible to develop a plan for the next steps to end the war,” Zelenskyy said in comments released on Saturday.
Moscow claimed the short truce was designed to test Kyiv’s readiness for long-term peace. However, Dmitry Medvedev, the hawkish deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, issued a stark threat, suggesting that Ukraine may not survive to see 10 May if it strikes during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. Zelenskyy responded forcefully, asserting that Ukraine would not serve as a prop for Russia’s attempt to break out of geopolitical isolation.
Kremlin Rejects International Ceasefire Calls
Despite calls from both Kyiv and Washington for a broader 30-day unconditional ceasefire, the Kremlin appears intent on maintaining its military campaign. Analysts note that Moscow’s latest ceasefire proposal is less about conflict resolution and more a public relations tactic aimed at internal and international audiences during one of Russia’s most symbolically significant holidays.
Meanwhile, fighting on the ground and in the air has intensified.
Kyiv Under Fire: Drone Barrage Injures 11 and Sparks Fires
In the early hours of Sunday morning, a Russian drone assault on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv left at least 11 people injured, including two children. According to military and emergency officials, the debris from intercepted drones ignited fires across the city’s Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts, damaging residential buildings and private vehicles.
Kyiv’s military administration reported that the capital’s firefighting crews worked through the night, with 76 emergency personnel deployed to control the blazes. Social media images showed burning apartment blocks and scorched vehicles as residents attempted to salvage belongings.
This latest attack reflects a broader trend of escalating Russian efforts to target urban centers and critical infrastructure, especially as Ukraine continues to strike back at oil refineries, radar stations, and military depots deep inside Russian territory.
Eastern and Southern Ukraine Endure Shelling and Drone Strikes
Elsewhere in the country, two civilians were killed in Russian shelling in Donetsk, the epicenter of the eastern frontlines. Ukrainian regional officials confirmed that artillery and missile attacks struck multiple towns, forcing further evacuations and limiting access to humanitarian corridors.
In Kherson, the southern city reclaimed by Ukrainian forces in late 2022, a Russian drone strike reportedly killed one person and damaged buildings near the city center. Ukrainian emergency services responded quickly, but local authorities warned that repeated strikes have degraded Kherson’s emergency response capacity and infrastructure.
In central Ukraine’s Cherkasy region, drone attacks on Saturday night sparked multiple fires, prompting a large-scale firefighting response. One person was injured, and the region’s governor, Ihor Taburets, confirmed that warehouses and agricultural storage sites were among the damaged structures.
Strategic Outlook: Asymmetric Warfare and Drone Technology Redefine the Battlefield
The use of a maritime drone to down a Russian Su-30 jet represents a potential game-changer in the conflict’s technological landscape. Ukraine’s continued innovation in drone warfare — from naval surface drones used in attacks on the Crimean Bridge to long-range kamikaze drones aimed at oil depots in Russia — underscores its strategy of asymmetric resistance against a militarily larger adversary.
According to military analysts, the deployment of sea-launched missile systems capable of targeting air assets extends Ukraine’s tactical reach and forces Russia to divert additional resources to counter UAV threats from multiple domains.
With the war now in its fourth year and no comprehensive peace talks on the horizon, these developments signal a shift toward more complex, tech-driven engagements. As both sides brace for further escalations around the 9 May commemorations, Ukraine’s drone innovations and Russia’s deepening reliance on air raids are shaping the war’s next phase.
Looking Ahead: Risk of Wider Escalation Persists
With mutual distrust at its peak, both Kyiv and Moscow appear to be preparing for another protracted phase of high-intensity warfare. The Kremlin’s rejection of ceasefire proposals, combined with Ukraine’s increasing ability to strike inside Russian territory, raises the possibility of escalation beyond the current lines of engagement.
Observers warn that the symbolic date of 9 May, celebrated in Russia as Victory Day, could become a flashpoint. Whether through heightened drone attacks, retaliatory strikes, or calculated provocations, the coming week may mark a significant chapter in the ongoing war — one that is increasingly fought with artificial intelligence, remote weapons systems, and the resilience of civilians caught in the crossfire.
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