Ukraine Announces Destruction of Russian Submarine by Underwater Drone

SadaNews - Ukraine announced that it struck and disabled a Russian submarine carrying missiles, which was docked at a naval base on the Black Sea, using an underwater drone in the first operation of its kind in the world.

The French newspaper Le Point described what happened as a stunning surprise, noting that remotely controlled Ukrainian submarines managed to blow up a 2,300-ton Russian submarine equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles.

It added that what occurred is another significant humiliation for the Russian navy, recalling Kyiv's sinking of the Moskva ship in 2022.

Reuters quoted the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) stating that the attack launched by Kyiv utilized Ukrainian-made "Sub Sea Baby" drones and targeted the submarine in Novorossiysk port, where Russia had repositioned several of its naval ships in the Black Sea to keep them out of Ukrainian striking range.

Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote on his X account that this is the first time in history that an underwater drone has disabled a submarine, a claim that the Russian Black Sea Fleet categorically denied hours after the news was published, according to Reuters.

This operation comes amid a tense period of peace negotiations mediated by Washington, which raised concerns among Ukrainians that they might be forced to accept settlement terms with Russia that they consider tantamount to surrender.

Ukraine is trying to demonstrate its ability to inflict significant damage on Russia, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky does not have the "winning cards" in the negotiations.

Ukrainian navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk stated that the operation targeting a submarine—described as the hardest target to hit—represented "another turning point" in the naval battle between Ukraine and Russia, adding in a statement to Reuters: "This day once again turns the perception of naval warfare capabilities in this war upside down."

Le Point considered the joint use of surface and underwater drones aims to prevent Russians from accessing strategic areas and secure the marine environment, facing the long-range strike capabilities of the Russian navy.

The newspaper described what happened as a new setback for the Russian army, adding to the exhaustion the Russian community is experiencing, but it will not change the balance of power in the region, explaining that Kyiv considers the sinking of a Russian submarine a highly significant symbol, as the Russian naval power represents the spearhead of the Russian army and is better funded than other army branches.

However, Russian state news agencies reported the fleet stating, "No ships or submarines of the Black Sea Fleet stationed in the bay of the Novorossiysk naval base were harmed by the sabotage, nor their crews, and they are carrying out their tasks as usual."

Source: Reuters + Le Point