A historic moment for the Ukrainian Navy: underwater drones “Sub Sea Baby” have, for the first time in history, destroyed a Russian Project 636.3 “Varshavyanka” submarine, neutralizing its missile threat, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reports.
The Russian submarine carried four “Kalibr” cruise missile launchers, which the enemy used to strike Ukrainian territory. Destroying the vessel effectively eliminates these weapons, significantly weakening the Russian Black Sea Fleet's strike capability.
The Kalibr missile attacks have severely damaged Ukraine's thermal power plants, substations, and other crucial energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages in the country.
"Black holes" are vulnerable to modern unmanned technologies
The operation demonstrated that autonomous underwater drones can redefine classical naval combat concepts. Submarines, which traditionally had the advantage due to the stealth of their hulls (“black holes”), are now vulnerable to modern unmanned technologies
A joint operation by the 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy showcased a new level of maritime asymmetry.
“Sea Babies" have already forced Russian ships out of Sevastopol Bay
The value of a “Varshavyanka”-class submarine is estimated at $400 million, and constructing a modern equivalent could cost up to $500 million due to international sanctions.
Previously, the submarine had been stationed at Novorossiysk port, following successful operations by “Sea Baby” surface drones that forced Russian ships out of Sevastopol Bay.
This event sends a strong signal to the world: modern unmanned systems are capable of neutralizing traditional naval forces, changing the rules of naval warfare.
The Russian submarine carried four “Kalibr” cruise missile launchers, which the enemy used to strike Ukrainian territory. Destroying the vessel effectively eliminates these weapons, significantly weakening the Russian Black Sea Fleet's strike capability.
