Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Ship "Leonid Pestrikov"

• 2.06.2026, 7:30

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Units of the Unmanned Systems Force of the AFU hit the Russian dry cargo ship "Leonid Pestrikov", which was in the port of temporarily occupied Berdyansk.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to a statement of the 422nd separate regiment of unmanned systems.

"Preliminary colleagues hit the UAV class frontstrike, for such a purpose it is not enough, the decision of the commander of the 17 AK urgently attracted 422 OP Bps LUFTWAFFE, UAV midstrike "Zozulya", shaped-charge BC 50 kg", - stated in the message.

It is also noted that the Russian vessel received significant damage.

"Leonid Pestrikov" is a universal dry cargo vessel of sea and mixed river/sea navigation, used by the Russian Federation in cargo transportation in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The 2021-built vessel is 141m long with a deadweight of 8,100 tons and two cargo holds.

In 2023, the vessel came under US sanctions as part of restrictions against vessels associated with Russian transport infrastructure. In 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions against the vessel as part of a "shadow fleet".

The Leonid Pestrikov vessel was used to transport Ukrainian grain from temporarily occupied Berdyansk and made voyages from occupied Sevastopol. It delivered cargo to the ports of Syria and other Middle Eastern countries; it regularly called at the ports of Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Iran.

Some cases of disconnection of the AIS (vessel identification system) were also recorded, which is considered a sign of concealing the route.

The Russian frigate "Admiral Essen" was hit earlier .