NOVOROSSIYSK, Russia — Ukraine has claimed a major breakthrough in modern naval warfare, saying it carried out a successful underwater drone attack on a Russian submarine stationed at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.
Ukraine’s security services said the operation was conducted using an unmanned underwater vehicle that penetrated harbour defences before detonating near a Russian Kilo-class submarine. The attack reportedly caused significant damage to the vessel, which Ukraine claims had previously been used to launch cruise missile strikes.
New Chapter in Naval Warfare
Ukrainian officials described the operation as unprecedented, saying it marked the first time an underwater drone had been used to strike a submarine inside a protected naval base. The drone reportedly targeted critical propulsion and control systems, potentially leaving the submarine out of service for an extended period.
Footage released by Ukrainian authorities showed an explosion near the docked vessel, though independent confirmation of the full extent of the damage remains limited.
Russia Rejects Claims
Russian defence officials have rejected Ukraine’s account, insisting that no submarines or naval assets were damaged and that operations at the Novorossiysk base are continuing as normal. Moscow dismissed the Ukrainian statements as false and politically motivated.
Strategic Implications in the Black Sea
The submarine was part of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, much of which has been repositioned to mainland ports following repeated Ukrainian attacks on naval facilities in Crimea. Analysts say the alleged underwater strike, if verified, would highlight vulnerabilities in traditional naval defences and signal a shift toward asymmetric maritime warfare.
The development adds a new dimension to the ongoing conflict, underscoring the growing role of unmanned systems in reshaping modern combat strategies.
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