SEA-PRISE: Ukraine Says It Carried Out First-Ever Underwater Drone Strike On Russian Submarine In Novorossiysk
Ukraine reported a major escalation in its maritime campaign against Russia on Monday, announcing that it had carried out what it described as the first successful underwater drone attack against a Russian submarine.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation targeted a Kilo-class submarine docked at the port of Novorossiysk, a key Russian naval facility in the Krasnodar region. Kyiv said the strike left the vessel critically damaged while it was stationed at the pier.
The Security Service of Ukraine said the attack was conducted using its “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drones and was jointly executed by the Ukrainian Navy and the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence. The submarine, officials said, was equipped with four launch tubes for Kalibr cruise missiles that Russia has repeatedly used in strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Footage released by the SBU showed multiple Russian naval vessels moored at the Novorossiysk base, followed by a powerful explosion near the docked ships.
Novorossiysk has taken on increased strategic importance for Moscow as Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Sevastopol and other ports in occupied Crimea, forcing Russia to relocate much of its Black Sea Fleet.
Ukrainian officials said the submarine had remained in Novorossiysk due to earlier Ukrainian actions, including the deployment of Sea Baby surface drones that pushed Russian naval assets out of Sevastopol Bay.
Russia rejected Ukraine’s claims. A spokesperson for the Black Sea Fleet said on Telegram that the attack caused no damage and that no submarines or crew members were harmed.
Military analysts say the strike underscores the growing role of unmanned systems in modern warfare. “[Ukraine] once again proved that minnows can swallow sharks using innovation,” drone expert Brett Velicovich told Fox News Digital. “Underwater drones are the next evolution in drone warfare.”
The reported attack comes as Russia continues to carry out large-scale drone and missile barrages against Ukraine, even as diplomatic efforts intensify to bring an end to the war launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of his negotiating team met Sunday in Berlin with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine.
Earlier in the week, Zelenskyy also held discussions with European leaders focused on shaping a broader political framework to end the conflict, ensure long-term security commitments for Ukraine, and lay the groundwork for the country’s postwar reconstruction.
{Matzav.com}
