Russia copies Ukrainian naval drones: Navy assesses real threat to coastline
Photo: Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson of the Ukrainian Navy (facebook.com/Taclbery)
Russia is trying to establish the production of unmanned surface vessels by copying Ukrainian engineering solutions. The Ukrainian Navy says this threat is being taken into account; however, it is not unexpected and does not indicate any new super-capabilities of the enemy, states Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk during the national telethon live broadcast.
According to him, the Navy views this threat as one that must be prepared for, and appropriate measures are already being taken. At the same time, the emergence of such developments in Russia was not unexpected.
"We consider this a threat that we need to be ready for, and one that requires appropriate measures. But in any case, this is not news for us," Pletenchuk said.
He added that attempts by Russia to copy engineering solutions and tactics for the use of naval drones were to be expected. He also noted that some Russian drones bear markings with production dates of the current month and year, indicating they were manufactured recently.
"I cannot say that the enemy has extraordinary capabilities to destroy us and our forces and assets," the Navy spokesperson emphasized.
Ukraine was the first in the world to massively and effectively use naval drones to strike ships of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, significantly changing the balance of power in the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck several military facilities of Russian forces in temporarily occupied territories.
According to the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, overnight, the Ptakhy drones of the 1st Separate Unmanned Systems Center hit a number of military facilities in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT), including a modern "worm" system.
In addition, in December, the Unmanned Systems Forces destroyed almost one and a half times more enemy personnel than in November, with the current daily average standing at 415 people.
In particular, on the night of December 6, Ukrainian drones successfully struck the Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant and the Ryazan Oil Refinery.
Recently, the Unmanned Systems Forces also eliminated a command post and a deployment site of Russian GRU special forces in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
