Ukraine is increasingly using unmanned boats to lay mines and attack Russian warships in the Black Sea. This tactic has forced Russia to shift its forces to avoid losses. An incident in September 2023 involving the Russian corvette Samum highlighted the effectiveness of Ukrainian unmanned boats in attacking Russian warships. These USVs were not only used for surveillance or logistics but also for offensive actions.
Brigadier General Ivan Lukashevych leads Ukraine’s unmanned surface vehicle (USV) development program and has claimed that their strategies are unprecedented in the world. Ukraine has reportedly sunk or damaged about 20 Russian warships using these USVs. Russia has been compelled to spread its Black Sea Fleet forces to different bases in the region as a defensive measure against these attacks, allowing Ukrainian air defenses to better intercept missiles.
To counter Russian forces without large warships, missiles, or a strong air force, Ukraine has resorted to utilizing USVs as a cost-effective strategy. The SBU and the Ukrainian Navy are collaborating to develop a fleet of 10-20 USVs with various functions that collectively match the capabilities of a conventional warship. They have even tested rocket launchers on USVs to attack ground targets.
Despite facing issues with signal loss and interference, Ukrainian forces have managed to carry out successful USV attacks. These attacks have caused significant damage to Russian warships and infrastructure in Sevastopol, Crimea. One of the main targets has been the Crimean Bridge, which suffered considerable damage from a USV attack. Ukraine has emerged as the first country to effectively use USVs in maritime warfare.
To counter the Ukrainian USVs, Russia has implemented various countermeasures, including deploying helicopters and drones to hunt the USVs. They have also created their own version of USVs, like the Murena-300s, to combat the Ukrainian threat. However, Ukrainian forces continue to adapt and develop new USVs, like the SeaBaby mine-laying USV, to maintain their offensive capabilities.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia in the Black Sea highlights the evolving nature of maritime warfare and the strategic use of unmanned technologies in modern conflicts. Each side is constantly adapting and developing new tactics to gain an edge over their adversaries, making this a dynamic and complex theater of operations.