Ukrainian Navy releases Bayraktar TB-2 strike footage on Russian Fleet USVs in the Black Sea

Footage released by the Ukrainian Navy

Images published by the Ukrainian Navy on 24 June show a Bayraktar TB-2 drone-an armed, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) used for surveillance and strike missions-hitting two small vessels in the Black Sea, with both targets apparently destroyed. The craft are believed to have been Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) operated by the Russian Fleet.

Built in Türkiye and categorised as a medium-altitude, medium-endurance (MAME) drone, the TB-2 was supplied to Kyiv before the conflict that began in 2022. However, it later became far less common on the battlefield after sustaining heavy losses amid Russian electronic-warfare operations.

The previous reported TB-2 appearance over the Black Sea was in September 2025, when it also struck Russian boats and troops along the coastline. The latest strike can be viewed on X by clicking the link, or via the image below.

What the Bayraktar TB-2 infrared video indicates

The infrared imagery shows two boats being engaged, with visible details suggesting either sensor masts or personnel on board. One of the vessels is illuminated by a laser spot, likely used to guide a precision weapon. Although the boats have not been formally identified, they are widely assessed to be USVs; nonetheless, the possibility that they were inflatable boats or fast patrol craft cannot be ruled out.

The munition used is thought to be from the MAM family-laser-guided bombs developed by Roketsan-which the TB-2 employed frequently during the opening phase of the war.

Context: TB-2 losses and Russian countermeasures

Since the start of the conflict, Ukraine has lost at least 26 TB-2 drones, according to the Oryx forum’s records. United24 links these losses to the growing effectiveness of Russian electronic warfare and to air-defence systems such as the Pantsir-S1, Buk and Tor, which have sharply reduced the safe operating envelope for large, relatively slow drones.