Ukraine says it has carried out its first successful attack on a Russian submarine using underwater drones.
Ukrainian officials said on Monday that the attack targeted a Russian submarine docked at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, something Kyiv says has never happened before in the war that began in 2022.
The claim comes as Ukraine ramps up naval operations in the Black Sea, an area that has seen intensified attacks in recent weeks. Russia has regularly used the sea to launch strikes on Ukrainian cities, including the key port of Odesa, while Ukraine has increasingly relied on drones to push back against Moscow’s naval presence.
According to Ukraine’s SBU security service, the operation was carried out using underwater drones. “The Security Service of Ukraine carried out another unique special operation and launched a naval attack in the port of Novorossiysk,” the SBU said in a statement on Telegram.
“For the first time in history, Sub Sea Baby underwater drones blew up a Russian... submarine,” it added.
The SBU said the submarine was equipped with “four Kalibr cruise missile launchers” that had been used in attacks on Ukrainian territory. As a result of the strike, the vessel suffered “critical damage and was effectively put out of action.”
Russia has not yet responded publicly to the Ukrainian claims.
The reported attack comes amid rising tensions in the region. Two Turkish cargo ships were struck in recent days, in incidents Ukraine said were linked to attacks on Russian targets. Turkey has since urged all sides to halt strikes on ports and energy infrastructure, warning that the situation risks further “escalation.”
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian warships in the Black Sea using a mix of drones and missiles, gradually pushing parts of Russia’s fleet farther from Ukrainian shores.
