Russia Touts New Weapon to Counter Ukraine Naval Drone Threat

Russia's military has developed a new explosive naval drone, according to a new report, as Moscow contends with Ukraine's persistent, and often successful, uncrewed waterborne vehicle attacks on its Black Sea Fleet.

The new kamikaze uncrewed surface vehicle, or USV, will carry 250 kilograms of explosives, Russian-language outlet RTVI reported, citing a Russian special forces officer in charge of the program's development.

The more than two years of war in Ukraine has spurred drone development in the air, on the ground, and on water. Kyiv and Moscow have invested heavily in their drone programs, with both sides battling it out to produce more and to innovate quicker.

The new kamikaze naval drones will be fitted with satellite navigation and an inertial navigation system, according to the report. Doubling up on navigation systems helps accuracy, and reduces possible problems caused by jamming.

Former Russian defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, greenlit the project, the outlet reports. The developers are now waiting on the approval of his replacement, Andrey Belousov, RTVI reported.

Footage published on the Telegram messaging app appears to show a test of the explosive drone in an undisclosed area. Newsweek could not independently verify the footage, and has reached out to the Russian Defense Ministry for comment via email.

Ukraine has become known for its waterborne drone use, its USVs menacing Russia's Black Sea Fleet partially based around Crimea as well as key infrastructure linking the peninsula with mainland Russia. Moscow has controlled Crimea for a decade, and Kyiv has vowed to reclaim it.

Ukraine's MAGURA V5 kamikaze drones, belonging to the country's military intelligence agency, are credited with damaging and destroying a slew of Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea, including, since the start of the year, Russia's Ivanovets missile ship, the Caesar Kunikov landing ship, a Russian corvette and a high-speed patrol boat.

Kyiv's SBU security agency operates Ukraine's Sea Baby USVs. A source in the agency confirmed to Newsweek last month that Kyiv is using modified Sea Baby naval drones fitted with Soviet-era Grad multiple rocket launchers against Moscow's forces in the south of the war-torn country.

Earlier this year, the Kremlin announced it would fix additional weapons, including large-caliber machine guns, to its Black Sea Fleet to take out Ukrainian drones.

"Every day it is necessary to conduct training with personnel," Shoigu said in remarks published by the Russian government in March. "Training to repel air attacks and attacks by unmanned boats."

Russia is also developing thermal imaging systems for the Black Sea Fleet "to effectively repel enemy overnight naval drone attacks," state media reported in May.

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