Ukraine hits Russian submarine with underwater drones for first time

WISE NEWS PRESS / KYIV, UKRAINE — DEC. 16, 2025

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has announced that it successfully disabled a Russian Kilo-class submarine in the port of Novorossiysk using "Sea Baby" underwater drones, marking the first recorded instance of such an attack in history.

This unprecedented operation targets a high-value strategic asset capable of launching cruise missiles, demonstrating Kyiv's rapidly evolving indigenous naval capabilities and its ability to strike Russian fleets that had previously retreated to safer waters.

Strategic impact and costs

The SBU identified the target as a Project 636.3 "Varshavyanka" submarine, known by the NATO reporting name Kilo class, stating that the vessel suffered critical damage and was "effectively disabled". The submarine, valued at approximately 340 million euros, was equipped with four launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles, weapons that Moscow has repeatedly used to conduct long-range strikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.

According to the SBU, building a replacement for such a submarine under current international sanctions would cost Russia over 420 million euros.

Evolution of naval warfare

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the operation, jointly conducted by the SBU's military counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy, proves the growing sophistication of Ukraine's maritime operations. Authorities stated that this is the first time in history that underwater attack drones have been successfully used against a submarine of this class.

Shifting front lines

The strike highlights the expanding reach of Kyiv's forces. Over the past few years, Ukraine has intensified its use of domestically produced naval drones to push Moscow's navy back to ports on the Russian mainland. The SBU noted that successful operations by surface drones had previously forced Russian ships and submarines to withdraw from Sevastopol Bay in occupied Crimea, compelling the damaged vessel to remain in the port of Novorossiysk, which has now become a primary target.

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