Ukraine announces it struck a Russian submarine with a naval drone for the first time
In a remarkable development in the ongoing naval war in the Black Sea, Ukraine announced on Monday that it had carried out a first-of-its-kind operation targeting a Russian submarine docked in the Russian port of Novorossiysk, confirming that it had inflicted "severe damage" that rendered it inoperable.
Details of the qualitative operation
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated in an official statement on Telegram that the operation was carried out using an advanced Sea Baby drone. The statement explained that "for the first time in history, a drone has successfully targeted a warship," noting that the targeted submarine belonged to the renowned Russian Kilo-class. The SBU confirmed that the explosion caused significant structural damage, rendering the submarine inoperable and representing a major blow to Russian naval capabilities in the region.
Kilo-class submarines and their strategic importance
The Kilo-class submarines are among the most important naval assets of the Russian fleet. These diesel-electric attack submarines began production in the 1980s and are characterized by their extremely low noise level, making them difficult to detect—so much so that NATO nicknamed them "black holes." Russia possesses more than thirty of these submarines, and their main threat lies in their ability to launch Kalibr cruise missiles, which Moscow has repeatedly used to strike targets deep inside Ukraine and its energy infrastructure.
A shift in the balance of power in the Black Sea
This attack carries profound strategic implications that extend far beyond the mere loss of a naval vessel. Since the outbreak of war in February 2022, the Black Sea has become a major battleground. Despite lacking a large conventional navy, Ukraine has successfully employed an asymmetric warfare strategy, utilizing unmanned boats and anti-ship missiles.
The targeting of Novorossiysk specifically indicates an expansion of Ukrainian operations; Russia had previously relocated a significant portion of its fleet from Sevastopol in Crimea to Novorossiysk (in the eastern Black Sea) seeking refuge away from Ukrainian fire. This attack demonstrates that even remote Russian naval bases are no longer immune, posing new logistical and security challenges for the Russian leadership.
The repercussions of the attack on shipping and energy
This escalation comes at a sensitive time, threatening the security of shipping lanes and energy exports, as the port of Novorossiysk is a vital hub for oil and grain exports. Kyiv has previously targeted nearby oil facilities, forcing some to temporarily halt operations. Military analysts believe that Ukraine's success in neutralizing Russian submarines could reduce the frequency of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and enhance Kyiv's ability to protect its maritime grain export routes. There has been no immediate official comment from the Russian side to confirm or deny the extent of the damage.
