Russian Navy tests new sea drone, Ukraine questions its capabilities
Dmytro Pletenchuk (facebook.com/Taclbery)
During July drills, the Russian Navy reportedly unveiled a new sea drone. However, Ukraine's Navy stated that it is currently difficult to objectively assess its capabilities, according to Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk.
Russian statement on new weapon
During the July Storm drills, the Russian navy demonstrated a new unmanned sea vehicle. A video of the drone tests was shared via social media accounts associated with the fleet.
According to Russian claims, the drone is launched from a ship, can operate autonomously for up to 24 hours, and is capable of striking naval targets at a distance of over 300 kilometers. In this case, the strike zone would include, in particular, the ports of Odesa and Izmail.
Reaction of the Ukrainian Navy
Commenting on the new Russian development, Pletenchuk emphasized that the footage provided does not allow for an objective assessment of the drone's capabilities.
"They always try to exaggerate the specifications of their equipment. As a result, it is quite difficult to analyze. But the very fact that they are moving in this direction is confirmed," said the Navy spokesperson.
According to him, this is not the first time Russia has announced the development of unmanned maritime systems. At the same time, Russians often copy successful technologies from other countries, which indeed poses a certain threat.
"This is not the first such claim from Russia regarding the development of unmanned maritime systems. This is at least the fourth such case," Pletenchuk stated.
Sea drones
In early July, the head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR), Kyrylo Budanov, stated that Russia had attempted to attack the city of Pivdenne in Odesa region using experimental sea drones, but they exploded while still in the enemy's territorial waters.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is actively using sea drones to strike Russian targets in the Black Sea.
In 2023–2024, Ukrainian kamikaze drones inflicted significant losses on Russia's Black Sea Fleet, damaging or destroying a considerable number of enemy vessels.
At the end of December, Ukrainian forces, for the first time in the world, destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using missiles launched from a Magura V5 strike sea drone.
