Ukraine’s Sea Drone Strike Sends Shockwaves Through Russia’s Naval Stronghold
What unfolded at Russia’s Novorossiysk port has quickly become one of the most talked-about naval incidents of this war. Images and reports emerging now are giving a clearer picture of what Ukraine claims was a historic underwater drone strike on a Russian submarine, right inside a heavily guarded harbour packed with military vessels.
According to satellite images shared by journalists from Radio Liberty’s Russian service, an explosion was seen near a pier at Novorossiysk, just several dozen metres from a Russian Varshavyanka, or Kilo-class, submarine. The blast left visible damage to the pier itself, with scorch marks and structural destruction clearly visible in imagery dated December 16. The submarine, however, was still seen moored in its original position, which has sparked debate about how severe the damage truly was.
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Russian officials have insisted that the drone attack caused no harm to the submarine or its crew. From their side, it has been suggested that there was no direct hit to the vessel’s hull. At the same time, independent analysts have taken a closer look at higher-quality images and reached a slightly different conclusion. One OSINT analyst noted that the explosion appeared to have struck much closer to the bow of the submarine than initially reported, raising questions about what may not be visible from satellite images alone.
Ukraine’s Security Service has taken a far stronger position. It was announced that, for the first time in history, a Russian submarine had been struck using Ukrainian Sea Baby sea drones. According to the Ukrainian account, the explosion caused critical damage, effectively putting the submarine out of action. The vessel was said to be armed with four Kalibr cruise missile launchers, weapons that have been regularly used in strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
What makes this moment especially significant is not just the target, but the method. Submarines are among the hardest military assets to hit, particularly when they are sheltered in port. Ukrainian officials and naval spokespeople have described the operation as a turning point, one that challenges long-held assumptions about naval warfare in this conflict. It has been pointed out that even attempting repairs would force the submarine above water, leaving it exposed to further attacks.
Whether the submarine is fully disabled or not may take time to confirm. But one thing is already clear: the explosion at Novorossiysk has sent a powerful message, and it has reshaped how both sides, and the wider world, view the evolving naval dimension of this war.
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