Black Sea drone attack reaffirms threat to naval vessels
Russian Navy Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate Admiral Makarov, pictured here passing through the English Channel, was reportedly damaged in the attack. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
A naval expert tells Shephard the Ukrainian attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet assets, as reported, fits into a long tradition of weaker navies seeking to find ways to counter more powerful opponents.
On Saturday, three Russian vessels were reportedly targeted from the air and the sea using a mix of UAS and USVs, damaging the Russian ship Admiral Makarov – an Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate.
While details of Saturday's reported Ukrainian attack on Russian naval forces in and around Sevastopol remain unclear, the incident has served as a reminder of the threat posed by remote-controlled explosive boats.
In footage widely circulated on social media, a USV, like that which washed up near the Sevastopol Naval Base in Crimea earlier this year, can be seen sailing towards a Russian vessel before the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned]()
NAVDEX 2025: First of UAE Navy’s four Falaj-3 OPVs commissioned
The vessels were first discussed a full ten years before the commissioning ceremony, and three more are due within the next three years.
-
![Royal Thai Navy enhances weaponry on its Tor 997 patrol boats]()
Royal Thai Navy enhances weaponry on its Tor 997 patrol boats
A new deal with EM&E Group has added Sentinel 30 remote stations to the boats’ armament profile.
-
![Israel Shipyards begins steel-cutting on new Reshef-class corvettes]()
Israel Shipyards begins steel-cutting on new Reshef-class corvettes
The new indigenously-built corvettes will replace Israel's Sa'ar 4.5 class which has been in service for four decades.
-
![USSOUTHCOM in ‘desperate need’ for fleet assets says commander]()
USSOUTHCOM in ‘desperate need’ for fleet assets says commander
Adm Holsey also warned that were “zero Navy P-8 aircraft available due to being pulled to other theatres”.
-
![Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile]()
Aselsan test-fires Turkey’s first indigenous naval defence missile
The test of the Goksur missile is regarded as a pivotal moment of Turkey’s journey towards developing an indigenous naval defence capability.
