For the first time, a Russian Be-12 amphibious plane destroyed: strike on Crimea.

According to The Sun: Ukrainian forces have destroyed a Soviet amphibious plane of the Russian troops for the first time.

According to the military intelligence of Ukraine HUR, on September 21, a strike was carried out against two Russian Be-12 Chayka planes in occupied Crimea.

This is the first confirmed case of the destruction of one of these valuable amphibious planes by Ukrainian forces.

The operation was carried out by special units of the HUR, known as 'Phantoms'.

“This is the first strike on a Be-12 in history,” stated HUR.

These powerful planes are designed for detecting and combating enemy submarines and are equipped with valuable systems.

A video published by the intelligence shows the moment when the Be-12 Chayka was hit.

In the recording, a drone approaches the military facility unnoticed before the hit.

The laser designator is visible in the center of the screen as the drone approaches the planes.

In addition to the two planes, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was also destroyed.

“The armed struggle continues,” adds HUR. “Glory to Ukraine.”

Furthermore, Ukrainian intelligence claims that a day prior, three Russian Mi-8 helicopters and one radar station were destroyed in Crimea.

What is Be-12 Chayka?

Be-12 Chayka is a Soviet anti-submarine aircraft still used by the Russian military.

Introduced into service in the 1960s, it is designed for detecting and combating underwater threats.

Be-12 Chaykas are amphibious planes capable of landing both on water and on land.

It is known that Russia has been using these planes to patrol the Crimean coast since the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Ukrainian military also uses these planes.

This event took place against the backdrop of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's dismissal of one of the top generals following failures at the front.

General Aleksandr Lapin, 61, was reportedly dismissed due to failures in the offensive in the Sumy region.

This general has been criticized as 'incompetent' by military experts.

“If it were up to me, I would demote Lapin to private, strip him of his awards, and send him to the front lines to wash away his disgrace with a rifle in hand,” said Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov.

Ekranoplan - the Soviet 'sea monster'

This 302-foot megaplane was once a significant element of the Soviet military’s arsenal.

The ekranoplan, the size of a Boeing 747, was equipped with a dangerous arsenal of missiles to combat the enemy.

Its impressive dimensions and deadly cargo made it a formidable force.

However, today this massive plane is in a pitiful state, cemented as a 'museum' in Derbent.

It could carry six anti-submarine missiles capable of traveling up to 60 miles at three times the speed of sound.

The ekranoplan was retired after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

Stay updated on this story; check our website The U.S. Sun, your guide to the world of celebrity news, sporting events, real stories, stunning images, and videos worth watching.

Follow us on Facebook at TheSunUS and on X at @TheUSSun

This event highlights the increasing activity of Ukrainian military forces in defending their territory and demonstrates the importance of modern technologies in warfare. The destruction of the Be-12 Chayka, a known anti-submarine aircraft, is a significant achievement amidst the armed conflict in the region.

Moreover, the situation with General Lapin may indicate internal problems within the Russian military command, which may affect the course of hostilities in Ukraine.