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Project 1454 Sapphire

1987 Russia-Ukraine war maritime search and rescue

History

Sapphire is a Ukrainian civilian maritime search-and-rescue tug of Project 1454. Built in 1987, the vessel is used for search and rescue at sea, emergency towing and firefighting assistance to ships.

The tug has remained part of Ukraine's specialized maritime rescue fleet and has also taken part in training and humanitarian missions. During the Russia-Ukraine war, Sapphire was seized near Zmiinyi Island in 2022 and later returned to Ukraine.

On 13 September 2026, Sapphire was damaged during a Russian UAV attack on a port in the Odesa region. Preliminary reports stated that nobody was injured and that the circumstances and damage were being documented.

Service before 2022

Sapphire was built in 1987 as a Project 1454 search-and-rescue vessel. In February 2019, the tug and the PRK-05 search-and-rescue boat participated in exercises in the Kherson region.

Seizure in 2022

On 26 February 2022, Sapphire was operating near Zmiinyi Island on a humanitarian mission connected with the evacuation of Ukrainian personnel when Russian forces seized the vessel and the civilians aboard it. UkrMedia reported that 21 civilians were aboard, including a doctor and clergy members. The source account states that 19 crew members were subsequently released during a prisoner exchange in March 2022.

The vessel itself was later returned. Sapphire arrived back in Ukrainian-controlled territory on 11 April 2022.

In March 2026, according to UkrMedia, Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies completed an investigation concerning three Russian military personnel accused in connection with the seizure of Sapphire and treatment of its civilian crew.

September 2026 drone attack

On 13 September 2026, Russian UAVs struck one of the ports in the Odesa region and damaged Sapphire. The Ukrainian authorities reported that the tug was being used for search-and-rescue work and carried markings identifying its rescue function under international maritime requirements.

Contemporary reports from Mezha, UkrMedia, Ukraine Top News and The New Voice of Ukraine all described the vessel as a civilian maritime search-and-rescue tug damaged during the attack. Preliminary information indicated that no one was injured.

Ukrainian authorities said the circumstances of the strike and the resulting damage were being documented and that Ukraine planned to inform the International Maritime Organization and international partners about the incident.

Design

Sapphire is a Project 1454 search-and-rescue tug. It is an ice-class diesel-electric vessel intended for maritime rescue work and support operations.

The vessel is 58.3 m long and 12.6 m wide. Its displacement is approximately 1,662 tonnes and its deadweight is 445 tonnes. A 2026 account described its endurance at sea as approximately 20 days.

The tug's assigned functions include searching for and rescuing people at sea, emergency towing of vessels and firefighting assistance. During search-and-rescue operations it carries identifying markings associated with its civilian rescue role.

Operational history

Sapphire has served with Ukraine's Maritime Search and Rescue Service. Its documented activities include a 2019 exercise in the Kherson region, the 2022 humanitarian mission near Zmiinyi Island during which it was seized, and subsequent return to Ukrainian service.

The vessel remained listed among the state search-and-rescue fleet in 2026. Its damage during the September 2026 drone attack occurred while it continued to serve in a maritime search-and-rescue role.

Operators

Ukraine: Maritime Search and Rescue Service; operated Sapphire as a civilian search-and-rescue tug and continued to list it in the specialized state rescue fleet in 2026.