Ukraine Executes Unprecedented Underwater Drone Attack on Russian Submarine
In a groundbreaking naval operation, Ukraine utilized its homegrown "Sub Sea Baby" underwater drones to launch a successful attack on a Russian Kilo-class attack submarine at the Novorossiysk port in Russia's Krasnodar Region on December 15, 2025.
This operation represents the first documented case of an underwater drone incapacitating a submarine during combat, according to Alexander Kamyshin, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) released video footage showing a significant explosion near the pier where the submarine was located. Reuters independently verified the location and authenticity of this footage.
Novorossiysk emerged as Russia's main Black Sea naval base after relocating much of its fleet from Sevastopol in the occupied region of Crimea. The Kilo-class submarine, now damaged, was equipped to carry Kalibr cruise missiles and was integral to Russia's long-range attacks on Ukraine. With this submarine out of action, Russia's operational Kalibr-armed submarines at Novorossiysk are reduced to three, diminishing its missile launch capability in the region.
In response to its conventional naval disadvantages, Ukraine has embraced asymmetric warfare tactics, employing unmanned maritime systems such as sea drones and missiles to counter Russian presence in the Black Sea. Dmytro Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, described the operation as a pivotal moment in naval conflicts, emphasizing the difficulty of targeting stealth submarines.
The "Sub Sea Baby" drones are equipped with autonomous navigation, long-range capabilities, and specialized warheads designed to breach submarine hulls, allowing them to conduct deep strikes within Russian-controlled waters. Repairing the damaged submarine presents a logistical challenge for Moscow as it would be vulnerable to subsequent attacks.
This successful mission indicates the increasing significance of unmanned systems in naval warfare and could potentially impact global military strategies, especially for navies that rely heavily on submarines. Additionally, it strengthens Ukraine's position in ongoing peace negotiations facilitated by the United States.
Though Russian authorities have not officially responded to the incident, experts anticipate that Russia will bolster port defenses, enhance anti-drone strategies, and increase naval patrols as countermeasures. Concurrently, Ukraine is likely to further invest in underwater drone technology to maintain its strategic advantage over Russian forces in the Black Sea.
