Satellite Imagery Confirms Destruction of Russian Corvette 'Boykiy' in Kronstadt Dry Dock

Corvette 'Boykiy' Destroyed Beyond Repair

According to Главком: Satellite photos have confirmed the complete destruction of the superstructure and severe deformation of the hull of the Russian Project 20380 missile corvette 'Boykiy' while it was in a dry dock in Kronstadt. The vessel is considered beyond recovery. The images reveal hull distortion near the stern section, where the exhaust systems are located. As a result of the fire, the radar mast and deck elements collapsed into the hull. The mast housed the antennas for the 'Furke-2' and 'Monument-A' radar systems. Extensive scorch marks were also detected along the stern superstructure and near the helicopter landing pad.

The 'Boykiy' was struck by drones on June 3 while docked at the Veleshchinsky Dry Dock within the Kronstadt Naval Base. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed the hit on the corvette and a gunpowder plant following operations on June 3–4. Video footage captured at least two direct impacts. The corvette had been undergoing scheduled repairs since February 2026.

Technical Specifications and Role of the Corvette

The corvette 'Boykiy' was laid down on July 27, 2005, launched in April 2011, and commissioned into the fleet in May 2013. It has a full displacement of approximately 2,200 tons, a length of 104.5 meters, and a beam of 11.1 meters. The ship can reach speeds of up to 27 knots and has an endurance of up to 15 days. Its crew numbers 100 personnel, including 14 officers.

'Boykiy' was a guided-missile platform. Its armament includes:

• Kh-35 anti-ship cruise missiles with a range of up to 260 km, part of the 'Uran' system;
• surface-to-air missiles from the 'Redut' system;
• the 'Paket-NK' anti-submarine warfare system.

The vessel also carried a Ka-27 helicopter. Before its destruction, 'Boykiy' was used to escort vessels of Russia's shadow fleet in the English Channel and conduct operations near NATO borders.

Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi (aka 'Madyar'), noted: 'Boykiy is a carrier of guided missile weapons.'

The loss of the corvette 'Boykiy' deals a significant blow to the Russian Navy, as this ship played a key role in military operations and escorted vessels in strategically important regions. Given that the corvette was equipped with modern weapon systems, its destruction could hinder Russia's ability to carry out naval missions amid rising tensions with NATO. This event also underscores the effectiveness of Ukrainian unmanned systems in modern conflicts.

The recent incident involving the destruction of a Russian vessel at Mariupol Port highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Russian Navy. As military operations continue to escalate, such events underscore the vulnerabilities of naval assets in conflict zones, further impacting Russia's maritime capabilities.