Ukrainian remotely controlled drone submarines have destroyed a 2.300-ton Russian submarine equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, a stunning blow to Russia, the French newspaper Le Point reported on its website.
"This is another major humiliation for the Russian Navy, following the sinking of the Moskva in 2022," the newspaper believes.
Ukrainian forces announced on Monday evening that they had destroyed a Russian Kilo-class submarine in the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea.
According to Kiev, the submarine was sunk by "Sub Sea Baby" drones, an underwater version of the famous "Sea Baby" drones.
The sunken submarine belongs to the "Kilo Improved" or "Varshavyanka" class, the same class as the "Rostov-on-Don" submarine, which was sunk in 2024 by Ukrainian missiles.
This 2.300-ton, conventionally powered (diesel-electric) submarine is typically equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, the same type used to attack vital Ukrainian infrastructure.
The submarine was reportedly "effectively disabled," according to the Ukrainian military security service (SBU).
Ukrainian officials are presenting the attack as the first successful underwater drone attack on a submarine of this class, Poen reported.
Kiev has intensified domestic production of naval and underwater drones in recent years to challenge Russian dominance in the Black Sea.
But even before the arrival of the new generation of drones, Ukraine dealt a severe blow to the Russian Navy in April 2022, sinking the 12.500-ton ship Moskva with just two subsonic missiles, which Russian forces failed to intercept.
The attack is part of a broader Ukrainian strategy aimed at pushing Moscow's navy out of Crimea.
By now targeting ports along Russia's mainland coast, Ukraine is demonstrating its ability to expand its operations on an ad hoc basis and achieve spectacular successes, even if it cannot stop Russia's slow advance into its territory.
The combined use of surface and underwater drones aims to prevent access to strategic areas and secure a maritime perimeter, countering the Russian Navy's ability to conduct long-range strikes.
Poen assessed that the latest setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin's army may contribute to war fatigue in Russian society, but will not change the balance of power in the region.
For Kiev, the sinking of the Russian submarine is an extremely significant symbol, the French newspaper added.
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