Ukraine achieves “impossible” at Russia’s Novorossiysk port, says expert after drones disabled Varshavyanka-class submarine

Ukrainian naval drones have likely achieved what was previously considered impossible, said Ivan Fedorov, a military expert. They have breached the multi-layered defenses of one of Russia’s most heavily protected ports and disabled one of its most important ships.

The submarine in question is capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, which are one of Russia’s key weapons used to attack Ukraine, including civilian infrastructure and major industrial facilities.

A port long considered untouchable

On 15 December, it became known that Ukraine carried out a unique operation. For the first time in history, Sub Sea Baby underwater drones struck a Varshavyanka-class Russian submarine.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the submarine sustained critical damage and was effectively put out of action. At the same time, the Russian Black Sea Fleet command denies the loss of the vessel.

“These underwater unmanned vehicles penetrated Tsemes Bay, where the port of Novorossiysk and several strategically important oil terminals are located,” Fedorov said on the YouTube channel The Breakfast Show.

A blow to the heart of the Black Sea Fleet

According to the expert, the loss of a Varshavyanka submarine represents a serious blow to Russia’s fleet. In total, Russia has built 12 submarines of this class: six assigned to the Black Sea Fleet and six to the Pacific Fleet.

Previously, one Varshavyanka in the Black Sea had already been damaged by Ukrainian forces and has remained under repair since. Whether it can be fully restored remains to be seen.

“Only four such submarines now remain in the Black Sea Fleet, and their future raises serious questions,” Fedorov emphasized.

A new threat to the fleet and oil terminals

He added that these underwater drones could cause serious problems for the Russian fleet, as well as for oil terminals and potentially even tankers that dare to enter the port.

Fedorov also emphasized that defending the port of Novorossiysk using a “Crimea-style” model is far more difficult, at least because of the multi-layered physical defenses, including underwater barriers, barges, and other engineering measures, which would obstruct vessel access, particularly for ships heading to strategically important oil terminals.