Direct proof of use
Project 03160 Raptor-class patrol boats were fielded by Russia in the Black Sea theater during the full-scale phase of the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. The clearest public evidence comes from May 2, 2022, when Ukrainian sources released drone footage and multiple defense and maritime outlets reported that two Russian Raptor-class boats were struck near Snake Island.
Naval News reported that Ukraine's Ministry of Defence released video from a Bayraktar TB2 and said the two vessels were Raptor-class assault boats hit near Snake Island on May 2, 2022. The Maritime Executive, The War Zone, and Army Recognition also reported the Snake Island strikes, while Oryx later listed visually documented Project 03160 Raptor-class losses and damage cases.
Sources: Naval News: Watch Ukrainian TB2 Striking Two Russian Raptor Assault Boats, The Maritime Executive: Video: Ukraine Destroys Two Russian Navy Patrol Vessels, The War Zone: Ukraine Claims TB2 Drones Sunk Russian Patrol Boats Off Snake Island, Army Recognition: Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 UCAV destroys Russian Raptor class patrol boats, Oryx: List Of Naval Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine
Narrative
The Raptor's wartime role was littoral patrol, force protection, and short-range movement around Russian-held maritime positions. Naval News described the class as a Pella-built assault or patrol boat used for coastal patrol, rescue, interception of small targets, port and base defense, and carriage of up to 20 personnel.
The Snake Island strikes placed the class inside the island campaign after Russia had seized the outpost early in the invasion. The reported attacks showed Raptors operating close enough to the island to be engaged by Ukrainian armed drones, making them part of Russia's exposed Black Sea support and security network around the occupied island.
The public record separates documented fielding and loss evidence from exact operational intent. The available sources show Russian Raptor-class boats present and targeted in the Black Sea theater, but they do not provide a complete sortie history, confirmed hull identities for every reported strike, or a full Russian account of the missions being conducted.
Sources: Naval News: Watch Ukrainian TB2 Striking Two Russian Raptor Assault Boats, The War Zone: Ukraine Claims TB2 Drones Sunk Russian Patrol Boats Off Snake Island, Oryx: List Of Naval Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine