Ukraine Executes First Underwater Drone Strike, Damaging Russian Submarine in Novorossiysk
NOVOROSSIYSK, Russia — In a groundbreaking military operation, Ukraine has successfully carried out its first-ever underwater drone strike, critically damaging a Russian Kilo-class submarine docked at the Novorossiysk naval base. The attack, confirmed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), targeted a vessel equipped with four launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles, weapons that have been used against Ukrainian cities including Kyiv.
The operation, conducted jointly by the Ukrainian Navy and the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, employed “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drones, marking a significant advancement in maritime drone warfare. Video footage released by the SBU depicted several Russian naval ships moored at the port before a large explosion erupted, signaling the strike’s impact.
Novorossiysk, located in Russia’s Krasnodar region, has become a strategic refuge for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet following intensified Ukrainian attacks on other key naval locations such as Sevastopol and Crimean ports. The submarine reportedly remained in Novorossiysk due to previous Ukrainian operations, including the deployment of surface drones that successfully forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol Bay.
Despite the Ukrainian claims, a spokesperson for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet denied any damage to its vessels or personnel, posting on Telegram that the submarine and crew were unharmed. However, military analysts view the strike as a demonstration of Ukraine’s growing capabilities in drone warfare. Brett Velicovich, a noted drone expert, told Fox News that “[Ukraine] once again proved that minnows can swallow sharks using innovation,” emphasizing that underwater drones represent “the next evolution in drone warfare.”
The strike comes amid ongoing large-scale Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, as well as diplomatic efforts led by the United States to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Berlin to discuss security guarantees and political frameworks aimed at ending the war and supporting Ukraine’s postwar recovery.
For further context on the strategic importance of Novorossiysk and the Black Sea Fleet, the U.S. Navy provides extensive resources on maritime security in the region. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State continues to monitor and engage diplomatically on the conflict, underscoring the international stakes involved.
This underwater strike underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare, where unmanned systems are increasingly pivotal. The Ukrainian operation not only inflicted critical damage on a key Russian asset but also signaled a shift in naval combat tactics that could influence future engagements in contested waters.
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