--- title: "Ukraine Claims World’s First Underwater Drone Attack On Russian Submarine" date: "2025-12-15" modified: "2025-12-15" authors: - name: "Howard Altman" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/howard-altman" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/ukraine-claims-worlds-first-underwater-drone-attack-on-russian-submarine" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Drones" - "Europe" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Russian Navy" - "Sea" - "Ukraine" - "Ukrainian Navy" - "Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)" --- # Ukraine Claims World’s First Underwater Drone Attack On Russian Submarine ![Ukraine says it carried out the world's first uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) attack on a Russian vessel.]() *SBU screencap* Ukraine’s state security service (SBU) [said it carried out ]()the first-ever [uncrewed underwater vehicle]() (UUV) attack on a Russian vessel. The strike was on a Project 636 *Varshavyanka* class, or[ *Improved Kilo* class]() diesel-electric submarine, in the Black Sea naval stronghold of Novorossiysk. It would mark a historic first successful use of a UUV as an anti-ship attack weapon. The SBU released a video it says shows the submarine docked at Novorossiysk along with several other ships. The video pans from right to left and at about the 16-second mark, the submarine erupts in an explosion. That means the UUV, which is not visible in the video, was able to navigate a packed harbor to strike a specific vessel. While we cannot independently verify the SBU claim about the use of a UUV in the strike, they did confirm that assertion to us directly. https://twitter.com/servicessu/status/2000582600658694487?s=46&t=BSj8FEJJ1OYQzabYTOwjNw Russia, meanwhile, denies any damage was caused by the attack. **‘**The information disseminated by special services of Ukraine about the alleged ‘destruction’ of one of the Russian submarines in the bay of the Black Sea Fleet’s Novorossiysk naval base does not correspond to reality," the [Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) claimed on Telegram](). "Not a single ship or submarine as well as the crews of the Black Sea Fleet stationed in the bay of the Novorossiysk naval base were damaged as a result of the sabotage. The watercraft serve normally." Today's UUV attack *appears* to be the culmination of Ukraine's development of these weapons and once again shows that the war-torn country is at the forefront of modern drone warfare innovation. Little is known about the Sub Sea Baby UUV, not to be confused with [the highly adaptable]() Sea Baby [uncrewed surface vessels (USVs)]() that have wreaked havoc on the Russian Navy. Ukraine is [developing several UUVs](), at least that we know of. It released images in September 2023 o[f a UUV dubbed Marichka](), designed to launch [kamikaze attacks against ships]() and [maritime infrastructure](). That followed the announcement earlier that year of another UUV [known as Toloka](), which you can see in the following video. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/GfLDcDaXct8?t=8&feature=share Being able to operate underwater not only helps greatly in avoiding detection and destruction, but it can also potentially mitigate some [defensive barriers Russia has already built ]()around ports as a result of [Ukraine’s uncrewed surface vessel (USV) campaign](). This onslaught has already kept Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) at bay, forcing it to retreat from Crimea to Novorossiysk. Ukrainian USVs have also[ damaged enemy military facilities]() in occupied Crimea and the[ Kerch Bridge](), You can see one Ukrainian USV being destroyed below. https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1661379305236987907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1661379305236987907%7Ctwgr%5E6eaa79ae44b134e31c5859895b717c23de3f7c99%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twz.com%2Four-best-look-at-ukraines-marichka-submarine-drone The[ U.S.](), [China]() and many other nations are developing their own UUVs for missions like the one that struck the *Improved Kilo* class submarines. UUVs can provide the ability to strike vessels and other targets at long distances and can be launched from submarines and motherships, extending their range. They can also be used for reconnaissance and mine laying, among other duties. You can read more about these vessels in our catalogue of stories [here](). In the case of the *Improved Kilo* class boat, "the vessel suffered critical damage and was effectively put out of action,” the SBU claimed. “On board the submarine were four launchers for ‘Kalibr' cruise missiles, which the enemy uses to strike at the territory of Ukraine.” ![ISTANBUL, TURKEY - FEBRUARY 13: The Russian Navy’s Kilo-class submarine Rostov-na-Donu B-237 transits the Bosphorus Strait en route to the Black Sea on February 13, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey. Russia has been reinforcing its Black Sea Fleet over the past week as a Russian military invasion of Ukraine being reported as imminent. With the arrival of the Rostov-na-Donu, the Russian Black Sea Fleet will have four improved Kilo-class submarines equipped with Kalibr land-attack missiles deployed in the Black Sea. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)]() *The Russian Navy *Improved Kilo* class submarine *Rostov-on-Don* transited the Bosphorus Strait en route to the Black Sea on February 13, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) BURAK KARA* The submarine damaged by the Sea Baby UUVs is one of six *Improved Kilo* class boats that were operated by the Russian Black Sea Fleet, a retired Russian Navy officer who uses the @Capt\_Navy X handle told *The War Zone*. These submarines are quite capable and can be very hard to detect when dived and running on battery power. These submarines carry [Kalibr]() long-range cruise missiles that have [frequently been used to attack Ukraine](). The Sub Sea Baby UUV attack “was a joint operation of the 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU and the Naval Forces of Ukraine,” SBU explained, adding that the estimated cost of one of the Russian submarines is about $400 million. ![]() *Ukraine says it struck a Russian submarine with an uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) in Novorossyisk, Russia. (Google Earth)* This incident also marks the second time an *Improved Kilo* class submarine in Crimea was attacked by Ukraine. In September 2023, the [*Rostov-on-Don* was severely damaged]() during a combined missile and uncrewed surface vessel (USV) attack on Sevastopol. [Ukraine later claimed it was destroyed](). You can see the damage to that submarine below. ![]() *One of two photos of the damage to the *Improved Kilo* class submarine apparently first published by the Conflict Intelligence Team. CIT via X A picture showing damage to a *Kilo* class submarine following a Ukrainian cruise missile strike on Sevastopol in September 2023. *CIT via X** If today's attack did damage the submarine significantly, Russia would be left with four examples operating as part of the Black Sea Fleet. While much about the Sub Sea Baby UUVs remains a mystery, a proven ability to use them as weapons holds Russian vessels at even greater risk. Novorossiysk was seen as something as a relative safe haven for the Black Sea Fleet, although aerial and sea drone attacks have occurred there. But the idea that Ukraine can use underwater drones to strike ships in port there changes this calculus, if that is indeed the true method of the attack. As a result, we will also be seeing a change in Russia's defensive posture at the sprawling port located on the northeastern edge of the Black Sea. At the same time, if this attack was executed by a UUV, it would be another world first and is likely a harbinger of things to come. Hitting ships in port over great distances via underwater drone attack is an asymmetric capability. It's also one that America's adversaries are investing in heavily, [and especially China.]() With all this in mind, the attack on the submarine serves as another reminder that the war in Ukraine has become a conflict where theory and development are put into practice. *Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com* ## Author Howard is a Senior Staff Writer for *TWZ*. He writes frequently about conflict, focusing heavily on the Middle East and Ukraine, and interviews with military and intelligence officials and industry leaders from around the globe. He lives near Tampa, Florida, home of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [LinkedIn]()