Ukraine has claimed that it successfully struck a Russian missile-carrying submarine using underwater drones while the vessel was docked at a naval base in the Black Sea, marking what Ukrainian officials described as a first in modern naval warfare. Russia, however, has firmly denied that the attack caused any damage.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the operation targeted a Project 636.3 Improved Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine at the Novorossiysk naval base in southern Russia. The SBU said the strike was carried out using Ukrainian-made unmanned underwater vehicles known as “Sub Sea Baby” sea drones.
If confirmed, the incident would represent the first reported combat use of underwater drones to disable a submarine. However, independent verification of the extent of damage remains limited, and Moscow has rejected Kyiv’s claims outright.
Ukraine’s Account of the Incident
The SBU said the underwater drone detonated near the submarine while it was docked at the pier, causing what it described as critical damage that rendered the vessel inoperable. The agency stated that the operation was conducted jointly with the Ukrainian Navy.
Ukraine released video footage showing a large explosion in the water near a pier where several vessels, including a surfaced submarine, appeared to be docked. Reuters verified the location of the footage by matching it with the layout of the Novorossiysk port, though it was unable to independently confirm the extent of damage to the submarine.
Alexander Kamyshin, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the operation marked the first time in history that an underwater drone had neutralised a submarine. Ukrainian naval spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk described the strike as a “turning point” in naval warfare, calling submarines among the most difficult military targets to hit.
The submarine involved is believed to be capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia has used extensively in strikes against Ukrainian military targets and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials estimated the value of the vessel at between $400 million and $500 million, particularly given the difficulty of replacing such assets under international sanctions.
Russia’s Response
Russia acknowledged that an attempted attack took place but denied that it caused any damage. The Black Sea Fleet said in a statement carried by Russian state news agencies that none of the ships or submarines stationed at the Novorossiysk base were damaged and that all crews were continuing their duties as normal.
“The enemy’s attempt to carry out sabotage using an unmanned underwater vehicle failed to achieve its goals,” the fleet said.
The Russian Defence Ministry echoed this position, stating that reports of a submarine being destroyed or disabled did not correspond to reality.
Some Russian military bloggers and commentators suggested that an explosion may have occurred near port infrastructure rather than directly striking a submarine, though several acknowledged the incident as a potential security concern for naval bases.
Strategic Importance of Novorossiysk
Novorossiysk has become a critical hub for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Over the past two years, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian naval assets in Sevastopol, located in Crimea, forcing Moscow to relocate several ships and submarines further east to ports considered safer from attack.
Despite having a very limited conventional navy, Ukraine has increasingly relied on sea drones, long-range missiles, and asymmetric tactics to challenge Russia’s naval presence in the Black Sea. These efforts have significantly constrained Russian operations and altered the balance of maritime power in the region.
If Ukraine’s claim is accurate, the incident would suggest that even well-defended naval bases deep inside Russian territory may remain vulnerable to underwater attacks.
Military and Political Context
The reported strike comes at a sensitive moment in the conflict. U.S.-brokered discussions aimed at exploring potential pathways to end the war are ongoing, and Ukrainian leaders have sought to demonstrate that Kyiv retains the ability to impose military costs on Russia.
Submarines are among the most complex and costly military assets to repair. Analysts note that if a submarine were damaged, repairs would likely need to be conducted above water in a dry dock, potentially leaving the vessel exposed for extended periods.
The broader conflict in Ukraine has increasingly become a testing ground for new military technologies, particularly unmanned systems. From aerial drones to surface sea drones and now potentially underwater vehicles, relatively low-cost platforms are challenging traditional assumptions about naval and military dominance.
Unanswered Questions
At present, the full impact of the reported attack remains unclear. Satellite imagery, official inspection reports, or third-party confirmations that could clarify the extent of any damage have not been made public.
As with many incidents in the war, both sides have presented sharply contrasting narratives, reflecting the broader information struggle accompanying the military conflict.
While Ukraine frames the incident as a historic breakthrough, Russia maintains that its naval capabilities in the Black Sea remain unaffected.
Whether or not the submarine was significantly damaged, the incident underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare and the growing role of unmanned systems in contested maritime environments.
As more information emerges, the true significance of the reported underwater drone strike may become clearer. For now, it highlights the continued volatility of the Black Sea and the technological shifts reshaping naval conflict in the 21st century.
