KYIV – The legendary Bayraktar TB-2 drone, an iconic symbol of Ukrainian resistance in the early days of the full-scale invasion, is once again conducting strike missions against Russian forces after a long period of being withdrawn from frontline combat roles. This resurgence, marked by recent attacks on Russian naval assets in the Black Sea, signals a significant tactical shift made possible by Ukraine's successful and systematic campaign to degrade Russian air defenses in the region.
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| Ukraine TB2 drone. |
The most recent evidence came on Wednesday, when the Ukrainian Navy released a video showing a TB-2 striking a Russian high-speed boat attempting to land troops on the Tendrivska Spit. The Navy confirmed the attack "destroyed another high-speed boat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet," resulting in seven Russian occupiers killed and four wounded. The video clearly displayed the distinctive symbology of a Bayraktar's targeting feed.
This attack is not an isolated incident. It follows several other recent TB-2 strikes, including one in June on a Russian landing craft on Kherson's west coast and another several weeks ago on a small boat near Zaliznyi Port. These missions mark a notable return to an offensive role for a weapon that was once so effective against Russian convoys and vessels that a viral patriotic song was written in its honor.
From Battlefield Icon to Rear-Area Asset
In the initial phase of the 2022 invasion, the Turkish-made TB-2s played a pivotal role. They were instrumental in halting the long Russian mechanized columns advancing on Kyiv and were crucial in the campaign to retake Snake Island, striking targets on the island and ships attempting to resupply it.
However, as the war progressed and Russia organized its air defense and electronic warfare systems, the slow, propeller-driven drones became highly vulnerable. By 2023, with significant losses mounting, the Ukrainian military had largely relegated the Bayraktars to reconnaissance and surveillance missions far from the front lines, using them for target designation in less contested areas.
How Ukraine Pried Open the Skies
The Bayraktar's return to a strike role has been enabled by a persistent and multi-pronged Ukrainian effort to systematically dismantle Russia's air defense network in southern Ukraine, particularly in Crimea and the Kherson region. Both Ukrainian and Russian sources have acknowledged the effectiveness of this campaign.
This strategy includes:
Deep Strikes on Crimea: Ukraine has used long-range cruise missiles, such as the British Storm Shadow and French SCALP-EG, to target and destroy high-value Russian air defense systems like the S-400.
SEAD/DEAD Missions: Ukrainian fighter jets have been conducting Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses missions, using U.S.-supplied AGM-88 HARM missiles and guided glide bombs to hunt down Russian radar and anti-air systems.
Naval Drone Attacks: Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) have been used to attack Russian naval assets and, according to Russian military bloggers, have also targeted coastal radar and air defense installations.
The Russian "Military Informer" Telegram channel noted on Wednesday that Ukrainian Bayraktars had previously only operated in the area in reconnaissance mode from a distance, stating, "Now, apparently due to regular strikes by Ukrainian drones... on air defense and radar on the coast of Kherson region and Crimea, Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2s have received a corridor for freer operation."
A Calculated Risk with Strategic Gains
Even with weakened Russian defenses, deploying the TB-2 in a strike role remains a major risk. However, its key advantage is that it is an unmanned, attritable platform. Losing a drone is far preferable to losing a precious manned fighter jet and its pilot. The TB-2s can be risked in scenarios where a manned aircraft cannot, and they provide a unique capability that most standoff weapons lack: the ability to dynamically track and attack moving targets of opportunity.
Furthermore, Ukraine is now domestically producing TB-2 drones at a facility near Kyiv, increasing the available supply for such high-risk missions.
While these recent attacks do not signal a return to the Bayraktar's early-war dominance, they are a powerful demonstration of Ukraine's ability to adapt to battlefield conditions. More importantly, they expose significant and growing cracks in Russia's once-vaunted air defense network covering southern Ukraine and the Black Sea.
