During a morning attack by Ukrainian strike drones on military targets in Vyborg on March 25, 2026, a vessel was damaged at the Vyborg Shipyard.
Based on photos published by local residents, the ship appears to be a Project 23550 ice-class patrol ship, Arktika. It is hull No. 235, named Purga, laid down on August 25, 2020.
The vessel developed a port-side list of about 30-40 degrees. Such a tilt typically leads to rapid flooding of internal compartments and loss of stability. In this case, however, a full capsize appears to have been prevented by a neighboring vessel.
The ship is effectively resting on its side, which prevents it from rolling over completely and sinking. Without this support, the list angle would likely have been greater, and the vessel could have capsized.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the attack but did not specify the means used.
What Caused the List: Technical Factors
To understand how a ship remains afloat, it is necessary to consider basic naval architecture. A vessel’s stability depends on the balance between its center of gravity and center of buoyancy.
If this balance is disrupted, the hull begins to tilt and, in extreme cases, can capsize. As Purga is still under construction, it lacks full watertight integrity and onboard damage control systems.
This makes it vulnerable to external impacts. In addition, there is no permanent crew on board to manage flooding.
What could have damaged the ship
Because the vessel is in a confined harbor and surrounded by other ships, using a surface drone is unlikely.
Technical factors or sabotage cannot be ruled out. One possibility is interference with the Kingston valves, which connect the ship’s internal systems to seawater.
Another scenario involves deliberate mining of the hull.
A strike by an unmanned aerial vehicle appears more plausible, as an air raid alert was reported in the area that morning, and drones were detected, including A-22-type aircraft used both as kamikaze drones and bombers.
However, this scenario also raises questions: the impact would likely have had to occur at or below the waterline, which could explain the absence of visible damage above the surface.
At the same time, such a strike would be technically complex, as Purga is positioned alongside a pier on one side and other vessels on the remaining sides.
Examples of Russian ships hit by Ukrainian forces
Ukrainian forces have repeatedly targeted Russian naval assets. In February 2024, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported sinking the Project 12411 missile boat Ivanovets.
The vessel was anchored at Lake Donuzlav in occupied Crimea when naval drones hit it.
Multiple direct hits to the hull caused critical damage, leading to loss of stability and eventual sinking.
Ships have also been disabled through sabotage. For example, in Operation Rybalka, a fire destroyed the small missile ship Serpukhov in Baltiysk, Kaliningrad region, on April 7, 2024.
The fire destroyed onboard communications and automation systems. Ukrainian intelligence said restoring the vessel would take considerable time.
Another case was the sinking of the vessel Port Olya-4 in the Caspian Sea. The ship, which was transporting military cargo, was struck near the port of Olya in Russia’s Astrakhan region on August 14, 2025.
Port Olya-4 was carrying components for Shahed drones and ammunition from Iran. Regional governor Igor Babushkin said the vessel was damaged by debris from drones that had allegedly been shot down.
Conclusion
Although the General Staff confirmed the strike, it did not clarify the method used. However, the exact cause is secondary, as the vessel has already developed a significant list.
Correcting this will require time and resources, likely delaying the ship’s entry into service.
Source: militarnyi
