Kyiv: Russia has carried out its first confirmed naval drone strike, sinking a Ukrainian reconnaissance vessel in the Danube River estuary, marking a new phase in the maritime conflict.
The Ukrainian Navy’s reconnaissance ship "Simferopol" was struck by a Russian uncrewed surface vessel (USV) on August 28, resulting in the ship’s sinking. Ukrainian authorities reported that one sailor was killed, several were injured, and some remain missing as rescue efforts continue.
This strike represents the first time Russia has successfully employed drone boats in direct combat, signaling a strategic shift in its naval operations.
While Russia has developed systems such as the Katran USV, these platforms remain limited by short-range radio communications rather than satellite control, making them vulnerable to electronic countermeasures.
Ukraine has long relied on its own naval drone program, which includes the Sea Baby, Magura V5 and V7, and the underwater drone Marichka. These systems have been used to attack Russian warships, ports, and energy infrastructure since 2022. The Ukrainian fleet of unmanned systems operates under the specialized 385th Unmanned Surface Vehicles Brigade, which has repeatedly demonstrated their effectiveness against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
In a parallel development, Ukrainian forces launched drone strikes against a Russian Buyan-M-class missile corvette in the Sea of Azov. The attack damaged the vessel’s radar systems, forcing it to retreat for repairs.
The incident comes amid a wider escalation, with Russia also launching one of its largest combined drone and missile barrages on Kyiv in recent weeks. Analysts warn that the latest attack highlights the growing role of unmanned systems in naval warfare and the vulnerability of larger surface ships in the Black Sea and surrounding waters.
The success of Russia’s drone boat strike signals a new phase of asymmetric warfare at sea, raising the stakes in the ongoing conflict and further entrenching the reliance of both nations on unmanned technologies.