--- title: "Russian Cruise Missile Strikes Ukrainian-Controlled Black Sea Drilling Platform" description: "Newly-emerged video footage purportedly shows the attack on a Ukrainian drilling rig in the Black Sea by a supersonic cruise missile launched by a Russian [Tu-22M3 Backfire-C]() bomber. The incident underscores the importance of the Tu-22M3 fleet, which was recently…" date: "2025-06-10" modified: "2025-06-10" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" - name: "Howard Altman" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/ukrainian-controlled-black-sea-drilling-rig-struck-by-russian-cruise-missile" categories: - "Air" - "Air Force Munitions" - "Air Forces" - "Air-To-Ground" - "Anti-Ship Cruise Missile" - "Around The Globe" - "Bombers" - "Europe" - "Naval Munitions" - "News & Features" - "Russian Air Force" - "Sea" - "Tu-22" - "Ukraine" --- # Russian Cruise Missile Strikes Ukrainian-Controlled Black Sea Drilling Platform ![Newly emerged video footage purportedly shows the destruction of a Ukrainian drilling rig in the Black Sea by a supersonic cruise missile launched by a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber.]() *GUR* Newly-emerged video footage purportedly shows the attack on a Ukrainian drilling rig in the Black Sea by a supersonic cruise missile launched by a Russian [Tu-22M3 Backfire-C]() bomber. The incident underscores the importance of the Tu-22M3 fleet, which was recently targeted as they sat on the ground at Russian [airfields in an unprecedented Ukrainian drone strike](). The cruise missile attack highlights the ongoing battle for the control of northern Black Sea drilling platforms, something that we [just covered in an exclusive interview]() with Ukraine’s spy chief. ![Newly emerged video footage purportedly shows the destruction of a Ukrainian drilling rig in the Black Sea by a supersonic cruise missile launched by a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber.]() *A still from the video showing the cruise missile (highlighted with an arrow) before hitting the base of the drilling rig. *via X* via X* https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1932483643764543666 While the exact origin of the video in question is unknown, it began [circulating on Telegram]() earlier today. Russian accounts [claim]() that it documents a successful strike against the Tavrida self-elevating drilling rig, carried out yesterday, June 9. It’s claimed that a Tu-22M3 used a Cold War-era [Kh-22 ]()(AS-4 Kitchen) anti-ship cruise missile to attack the rig, which was occupied by Russian forces since 2015 but was recaptured by Ukraine in 2023. The Russian side claims that Ukraine used the Tavrida rig — located close to [Snake Island]() — to launch special operations raids into and around Russian-occupied Crimea. At least one Russian military blogger [claims]() that Ukraine was using this drilling rig as a forward base for personnel from the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR). They write that it was also used for launching aerial drones, refueling naval drones, as well as for hosting electronic warfare and communication systems. Speaking to *TWZ*, [Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov](), commander of Ukraine’s GUR, denied those Russian claims about the military uses for the rig, stating instead that “We use the defense and control towers for other reasons,” but declined to provide more details. ![Lt.Kyrylo Budanov says Russia is giving North Korea military technology that could alter the balance of power on the peninsula.]() *Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, commander of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence. *Photo by Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images* *(Photo by Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)** Budanov did confirm that the rig had been hit in the past more than 10 times, by Kh-22s as well as [Kh-59 standoff missiles](). From the available footage, captured from an aerial surveillance drone in the vicinity, it’s not possible to determine what aircraft and missiles were involved, but the impact, close to the base of the drilling rig, results in a large explosion. Meanwhile, Budanov shared a photo with *TWZ* showing what he says was the rig after the latest attack, which you can see at the top of this story, that suggests that the main structure remains intact. Generally, the video footage appears consistent with the use of the very heavy Kh-22, or perhaps the more modern version of the same weapon, the Kh-32, which is externally similar. Both the Kh-22 and Kh-32 are carried exclusively by the Tu-22M3. https://twitter.com/MrFrantarelli/status/1524282788303839232?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1524282788303839232%7Ctwgr%5E6da16057e4fd4a09c99a67d3749b46237f13f056%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Fair%2Frussian-tu-22m3-backfire-shot-down-with-s-200-missile-ukraines-spy-chief During the war in Ukraine, the Tu-22M3 has primarily been associated with attacks using Kh-22 missiles [repurposed for use against ground targets](). In this role, the weapon has proven to be very destructive, although not highly precise, [and has resulted in significant numbers of civilian deaths](). https://twitter.com/ELINTNews/status/1615129067035959296?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1615129067035959296%7Ctwgr%5Ea1843ff4ece4a225ddbbc112fba9f2c6d7e2adce%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Ftakeaways-from-russias-missile-war-on-ukraine In the past, [we looked at the particular characteristics]() of the Kh-22, after seeing the first apparent evidence of the missile being used in combat in Ukraine, in May 2022: *The Cold War-era Kh-22, known to NATO as AS-4 Kitchen, dates back to the early 1960s, and production ceased as long ago as 1988.* *The delta-wing missile is powered by a liquid-fuel rocket and is typically launched from a Tu-22M3 flying at a speed of Mach 1.5. The missile then accelerates to Mach 3 before approaching the target. In its terminal phase, the missile dives at a steep angle and attains a maximum speed of over Mach 4. Each Tu-22M3 can carry up to three of these missiles in overload configuration, although one is more usual.* *In Cold War times, the Kh-22 was primarily armed with a nuclear warhead, although an alternative conventional high-explosive charge was available for the anti-ship version. The limited accuracy of the land-attack version meant that this one previously only carried a nuclear warhead, which would have been used against large targets like airfields or ports.* With that in mind, it’s possible that a Kh-22 could have been used to strike the drilling rig in much the same way that it might target a naval vessel, using its active radar seeker for the final run-in to the target. ![]() *A Kh-22 is prepared for loading on a Tu-22M, its only launch platform. *Public Domain** Another option is that the missile was a Kh-32, which retains the same physical characteristics of the Kh-22 but offers improved performance, including a dual-role anti-ship and land-attack capability. *Apparent Kh-32 test rounds carried by Tu-22M3s:* https://twitter.com/xia\_takamachi/status/1127928914007941120?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1127928914007941120%7Ctwgr%5Ed69562fe93b794aadc1d5a3a52128d584c14586e%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Fwe-may-have-our-first-sight-of-a-russian-bomber-launching-missiles-at-ukraine It’s unclear to what degree the drilling rig might have been provided with any kind of air defenses. In the past, however, Ukrainian officials have stated just [how difficult it is to shoot down the fast-moving Kh-22 missile]() without calling upon the most advanced Western-supplied surface-to-air missiles. Even these may well be of only limited effect against the missile, especially during its terminal phase. For now, we await more details about the nature of the attack on the Tavrida drilling rig, including potential post-strike imagery that might reveal the extent of the damage. However, the mission emphasizes the considerable value that both sides in the conflict place on this type of infrastructure. Despite Ukrainian denials that these kinds of platforms are not used for launching raids and drone attacks, their strategic location ensures they have been highly prized assets since even before the start of the current conflict. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()