A Ukrainian drone struck a Russian cargo ship responsible for importing war material—most prominently including Shahed drones—from Iran across the Caspian Sea.
Several weeks after its highly successful “Operation Spiderweb,” the Ukrainian forces continue to target and attack Russian targets deep behind the front lines.
In the latest attack, the Ukrainian forces used unmanned aerial systems to take out a Russian cargo vessel carrying Iranian drone parts and munitions.
Ukraine Bombed Russia’s Port Olya-4 Cargo Ship
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, Ukrainian forces targeted and struck the Port Olya-4 cargo vessel with an unmanned aerial system on August 14. The strike took place in the port of Olya, a port on the Caspian Sea near the city of Astrakhan.
Satellite imagery taken in the aftermath of the drone strike shows the Russian cargo vessel partially submerged in the Russian port, with approximately one-third of the ship thought to be underwater. The Ukrainian suicide drone struck mid-ship, causing significant damage. The Russian military has sent a floating crane and an additional cargo vessel to offload any military equipment that could be salvaged.
Per the British Ministry of Defence’s latest intelligence update on the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, Port Olya-4 had been regularly transferring war materiel between Iran and Russia across the Caspian Sea.
“The strike on the vessel, approximately 640 km [almost 400 miles] from Ukraine’s borders, highlights the continuation of Ukraine’s regular UAS strikes deep into Russian territory and emphasises the difficulties for Russian air defence in protecting both military and industry locations within range of Ukraine’s ever improving UAS capabilities,” the British Ministry of Defence assessed.
The cargo vessel takes its name from the Russian Caspian Sea port of Olya. Situated approximately 665 miles from Iran, the port of Olya has been another key logistics hub for Iranian drones, artillery munitions, and ballistic missiles heading to the frontlines in Ukraine.
The Strike Will Not Cripple Russia’s Drone Program
Tehran has been one of Moscow’s closest partners in the Ukraine war, providing regular shipments of unmanned aerial systems, missiles, and ammunition. Iranian Shahed suicide drones have been responsible for many strikes against Ukrainian urban centers and critical infrastructure.
“Iran has supplied artillery munitions, ballistic missiles, significant quantities of one way attack (OWA) UAS and provided extensive support to Russian OWA UAS domestic production in support of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine,” the British Ministry of Defence’s intelligence update stated.
However, Russia’s reliance on Iranian military systems is not the same as it used to be in the opening months of the conflict.
“Russia’s reliance on Iranian UAS-related support for Russia’s war against Ukraine has likely decreased in 2025 as Russian proficiency in domestic UAS development and production has increased,” the British Ministry of Defence concluded.
The Ukrainian military’s successful strike against the Russian cargo vessel is another reminder that Kyiv can reach deep into Russia and hit its military facilities, critical infrastructure, and other war-enabling targets. Operation Spiderweb destroyed and damaged at least 10 Russian strategic bombers—most of which have gone out of production and cannot be replaced.
Despite the Ukrainian success, the country’s military continues to struggle with protecting valuable assets within its territory from Russian drone attacks.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / Surasak_Photo.
