Russian Sobol Patrol Boats Get Camo and Drone Protection

Russia has begun militarising Coast Guard of the FSB Border Service patrol boats deployed on missions in the Baltic Sea.

OSINT researcher spectre crouton published a photo of the vessel on their Bluesky page.

The published material shows comparative images of a Project 12200 Sobol patrol boat, documenting a radical change in its appearance.

Previously, the boat had a civilian paint scheme, with a dark blue hull, white superstructure, identification stripes, and a hull number.

In the new images, the vessel has had all Coast Guard markings removed and repainted in a dark camouflage pattern with geometric shapes.

In addition to the camouflage paint scheme, the boat has been fitted with extra drone protection in the form of metal grilles over the bridge and superstructure.

Such protective structures are designed to counter FPV drones and munitions drops.

In addition, extra specialized equipment, including an inflatable boat, is visible at the stern of the upgraded vessel.

Project 12200 Sobol Patrol Boats

The Almaz Design Bureau in St. Petersburg developed Project 12200 Sobol patrol boats in the early 2000s.

These vessels are primarily designed for border protection, coastal patrols and counter-smuggling operations.

Key technical features of the Sobol:

• Displacement: 57.5 tonnes
• Length: 30.3 meters
• Beam: 5.8 meters
• Maximum speed: 47–50 knots
• Crew: 6