Gas Platform Burns at Sea After Battle Near Crimea

A gas production platform in the Black Sea, near temporarily occupied Crimea, is reportedly on fire. The facility had been used by Russian forces for military purposes.

The Crimean Wind monitoring group reported on this, citing satellite imagery.

According to the group’s sources, a naval engagement occurred in the area overnight. However, details regarding the forces and assets involved remain unknown.

A fire marker appeared on one of the platforms in the Karkinit Bay in the Black Sea, near temporarily occupied Crimea.

The Crimean Wind monitoring group analyzed multiple fire markers from various satellites and determined that the earliest recorded one occurred at 02:22.

The monitoring group also identified the coordinates of the fire’s center: 45.67001, 31.66026 — the location of the Petro Hodovanets self-lifting drilling rigs drilling rig.

It is currently unknown who was involved in the naval engagement that took place overnight. Officials or press services of Ukraine’s Defense Forces have not issued any statements regarding the operation.

Russia has been using gas production platforms in the Black Sea for military purposes. These platforms are used to deploy troops, install small radar systems for monitoring air and surface activity, signal relays for drones, and reconnaissance equipment to track the movements of Ukrainian forces.

It is worth noting that a previous strike on Russian-occupied gas platforms took place on May 19. During that operation, the Neva radar, storage facilities, and a residential unit were destroyed.

The operation, carried out by the 13th Main Directorate of the Military Counterintelligence Department of the Security Service of Ukraine, was conducted using both naval and aerial drones.

“Within a single special operation, the SSU specialists used two types of drones, which demonstrated the effectiveness of working in tandem. We once again reminded the enemy that no Russian trash has a place in the Black Sea,” said the Security Service of Ukraine.

An in-depth article on the strategic importance of controlling offshore gas platforms: Battle for Boyko Towers: Securing Maritime Superiority.