Ukraine exposes strategic precision in submarine strike operation

Thursday 25 December 2025 - 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Ukraine exposes strategic precision in submarine strike operation

Ukraine’s Security Service has disclosed the detailed coordination behind a complex two-phase operation that crippled a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk, marking what officials describe as a breakthrough moment in maritime warfare technology.

The operation began when Ukraine’s Security Service targeted a Russian Il-38N "Sea Dragon" aircraft stationed at the Yeysk air base. The specialized reconnaissance plane, designed for anti-submarine missions, was destroyed by a drone carrying an airburst warhead with thousands of fragmentary projectiles. The strike incapacitated Russia’s only aircraft capable of detecting underwater drones in the Black Sea, effectively clearing the path for Ukraine’s maritime assault.

Following the aerial attack, Ukrainian forces launched a “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drone against a Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class submarine docked at Novorossiysk. The explosion caused heavy structural damage, which, according to multiple defense analysts, likely rendered the vessel unusable. Satellite imagery reviewed later showed the submarine still moored at the same location days after the strike.

British intelligence confirmed that the submarine suffered significant damage, preventing it from operating independently. The vessel was equipped with Kalibr cruise missile launchers frequently employed by Russia to strike infrastructure and civilian targets in Ukraine.

In the aftermath, Russia moved quickly to reinforce defenses at its Black Sea naval bases. New maritime barriers and boom fortifications were visible at the entrances of submarine moorings in Novorossiysk, attempting to counter future raids by surface or underwater drones. However, analysts note these installations reduce the fleet’s mobility and signal a broader vulnerability in Russia’s maritime posture.

The successful coordination between Ukraine’s aerial and underwater forces underscores Kyiv’s growing military innovation in the absence of a traditional navy. As Russia adapts its defenses, the strike highlights Ukraine’s ability to challenge Russian supremacy even within mainland ports once considered secure.