How Did Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia’s Boyko Tower Alpha Gas Platform?

TL;DR

A Ukrainian FPV drone reportedly struck Boyko Tower Alpha by flying about 35 km below 50 m and hitting the junction between its NEVA radar antenna and control unit with a 3 kg explosive charge. The attack allegedly disabled a radar capable of tracking 200 targets, while a suspected Sea Baby vessel approached afterward. Read on for the flight plan, damage assessment, and limits of what was confirmed.

Transcript

At exactly 8:30 a.m. on May 19th, 2025, an SBU operator wearing FPV goggles received the authorization he'd been waiting for. Send it. Within seconds, a Ukrainianbuilt quadcopter drone carrying 3 kg of high explosives began a 35 km journey across the Black Sea to eliminate one of Russia's most important surveillance assets that would help Ukraine t... Read More

Key Insights

• The reported FPV strike began at 8:30 a.m. on May 19, 2025, after an SBU operator on Snake Island received authorization. The Ukrainian-built quadcopter carried 3 kg of explosives and traveled about 35 km across the Black Sea toward Boyko Tower Alpha.
• The FPV quadcopter was described as a standard 10-inch racing-drone platform assembled from Chinese components in a Kyiv workshop. Its conversion into a precision weapon reportedly cost about $500 and relied on a custom explosive device attached beneath the airframe.
• The flight plan was designed to reduce detection by keeping the drone below 50 m and using a zigzag route rather than a direct approach. At approximately 65 km/h, the planned 35 km journey reportedly required slightly more than 45 minutes.
• The FPV guidance system provided a real-time analog video feed through goggles, allowing the operator to adjust the aircraft until impact. The transcript states that this analog transmission resisted electronic jamming and enabled precise targeting of the radar antenna’s junction with its control unit.
• The NEVA radar reportedly operated in the K-band at 35 gigahertz, detected aircraft and surface vessels at ranges of up to 45 km, and tracked 200 targets simultaneously. It also supplied targeting information to Russian weapon systems across the northwestern Black Sea.
• The radar strike was reportedly completed at 9:20 when the quadcopter hit the antenna assembly. The 3 kg charge allegedly shredded the waveguide system, destroyed the transmitter, and severed the rotating antenna mechanism without requiring a large military munition.
• The suspected Sea Baby was described as a 6 m unmanned surface vessel carrying nearly 1,000 kg of military-grade explosives. Its twin 200-horsepower inboard motors drove water jets, providing speeds of up to 49 knots and continued operation if one motor failed.
• The Sea Baby’s navigation reportedly combined GPS, inertial guidance, visual targeting, and encrypted satellite communication. The transcript says operators could make real-time corrections, switch communication channels during jamming, and use detailed intelligence about the stationary platform to select a damaging impact point.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Ukrainian drones reportedly strike the Russian gas platform?

A Ukrainian-built FPV quadcopter reportedly flew from Snake Island to Boyko Tower Alpha and struck its NEVA radar with a 3 kg explosive charge. A suspected Sea Baby unmanned surface vessel then approached while smoke rose from the damaged radar, although its involvement was not fully confirmed.

Q: When and where did the FPV drone operation begin?

The operation reportedly began at exactly 8:30 a.m. on May 19, 2025, after an SBU operator received authorization. The drone departed from an improvised launch site on Snake Island for an approximately 35 km journey across the Black Sea.

Q: Why was the NEVA radar on Boyko Tower Alpha targeted?

The NEVA radar reportedly detected aircraft and surface vessels at ranges of up to 45 km and could track 200 targets simultaneously. It also provided targeting data to Russian weapon systems across the northwestern Black Sea, so disabling it was intended to let Ukrainian forces move more freely in the area.

Q: How did the Ukrainian FPV drone avoid detection?

The drone reportedly stayed below 50 m and followed a zigzag route instead of flying directly toward the platform. Its radar cross-section was described as roughly equivalent to a large seabird, making it difficult for detection systems to identify.

Q: How was the FPV drone guided accurately to the radar?

The drone sent a real-time analog video feed to goggles worn by its operator, allowing corrections until impact. During the terminal approach, the operator aimed at the junction between the radar antenna and its control unit to damage both mechanical and electronic components.

Q: What damage did the FPV strike reportedly cause?

At 9:20, the quadcopter reportedly struck the NEVA radar’s antenna assembly and detonated its 3 kg charge. The blast allegedly shredded the waveguide system, destroyed the transmitter, and completely severed the rotating antenna mechanism.

Q: What capabilities did the suspected Sea Baby vessel have?

The suspected Sea Baby was described as a 6 m unmanned surface vessel carrying nearly 1,000 kg of explosives. Twin 200-horsepower motors reportedly provided speeds of up to 49 knots, while extra fuel supported a range of 1,000 km.

Q: Was the Sea Baby attack on Boyko Tower Alpha confirmed?

No. The transcript says the weapon approaching the platform was suspected to be a Sea Baby but explicitly states that this identification was not 100% confirmed. Its alleged role should therefore be treated separately from the reported FPV strike on the NEVA radar.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A Ukrainian-built FPV quadcopter reportedly departed Snake Island on May 19, 2025, carrying 3 kg of explosives toward Boyko Tower Alpha. Flying below 50 m and following a zigzag route, it allegedly struck the junction between the NEVA radar antenna and control unit, destroying important mechanical and electronic components.

• The NEVA radar reportedly provided detection coverage of up to 45 km and could track 200 targets simultaneously. Its position on the Russian-occupied gas platform helped monitor Ukrainian aircraft and surface activity. The quadcopter’s small radar cross-section, low-altitude route, live analog video, and terminal corrections enabled a precise approach against the installation.

• A suspected Sea Baby unmanned surface vessel then approached the platform while smoke rose from the damaged radar. The transcript describes a 6 m vessel with twin 200-horsepower motors, a speed of up to 49 knots, a 1,000 km range, redundant communications, and nearly 1,000 kg of explosives, but says its involvement was unconfirmed.