Ukraine has regained control of the Boyko oil and gas drilling platforms off the coast of occupied Crimea in the Black Sea, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported on Telegram.
According to the report, Russia occupied the rigs in 2015 and used them for military purposes since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In particular, as helicopter landing sites and for the deployment of radar equipment.
"A unique operation to establish control over the Boyko Towers was carried out by the units of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, in particular, the Petro Hodovalets and Ukraine drilling platforms, as well as the Tavriya and Syvash drilling platforms, were returned to control," the statement said.
During the operation, the special forces captured valuable trophies: a stockpile of helicopter ammunition of the NAR type (unguided aircraft missiles), as well as the Neva radar, which can track the movement of ships in the Black Sea.
During one phase of the operation, a battle took place between Ukrainian special forces on boats and a Russian Su-30 fighter jet. As a result of the battle, the Russian aircraft was hit and forced to retreat.
Boyko's Towers are the Petro Hodovanets (built in 2010) and Ukraine (built in 2012) gas drilling platforms B312 off the coast of Crimea in the Black Sea. The procurement of the floating gas production rigs caused a public outcry due to the possible violation of Ukrainian laws and misappropriation of public funds in particularly large amounts by the former Minister of Energy of Ukraine, pro-Russian politician Yuriy Boyko. A criminal investigation was opened.
On 27 August, British intelligence reported that Ukrainian and Russian naval and air forces were fighting for strategically important gas and oil platforms in the Black Sea between Crimea and Odesa - the so-called Boyko Towers.
The report noted that the platforms not only "control valuable hydrocarbon resources" but, like Zmiyinyy Island to the west, "can also be used as forward deployment bases, helipads and for the deployment of long-range missile systems.”