A Russian Kilo-class submarine hit by a Ukrainian naval drone in December 2025 has not moved for over a month, satellite imagery indicates, seemingly contradicting Moscow's claims that the vessel was undamaged.
The strike, carried out on 15 December by the SSU's Sub Sea Baby underwater drone, targeted the B-271 Kolpino, part of the 4th Separate Submarine Brigade of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, at the port of Novorossiysk.
The drone reportedly hit the stern of the submarine, damaging the rudder, propeller, and surrounding structures. The operation was conducted jointly by the 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the SSU and the Ukrainian Navy.
Other vessels moved; Kolpino stayed put
Satellite images published by Mark Krutov, editor at Radio Liberty, show that while other submarines at Novorossiysk have been repositioned, the Kolpino remains in the same spot it was after the strike. The images suggest that the submarine has been effectively immobilized than 35 days.
Within days of the December strike, most warships inside Novorossiysk's protected basin - including corvettes, frigates, and at least one additional Kilo-class submarine - quickly departed the port. Kolpino did not.
Russia's denial video left out the damage
The Russian Ministry of Defense initially claimed the submarine suffered no damage and released video footage of the vessel. However, the sections closest to the drone detonation, including the keel and stern, were not shown in the Russian video, leaving questions about the extent of the damage.
"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 Kremlin stated after the strike - a claim the month of immobility appears to contradict.
Historic strike, strategic consequences
The 15 December attack marked the first time an underwater drone successfully struck a submarine in naval warfare. The $400-500 million Kolpino carried four Kalibr cruise missile launchers - weapons Russia has used extensively to strike Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
Analysts have noted that even a near-miss from an underwater explosion can cause significant damage to a submarine's internal systems.
With Türkiye's Bosphorus closure trapping damaged vessels in the Black Sea since 2022, and the fleet's only major repair yard in Sevastopol under regular Ukrainian missile attack, Russia has limited options for restoring the Kolpino to service.
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