New Delhi: In a significant escalation of naval warfare, Russia has claimed its first successful strike using a sea drone, sinking Ukraine’s reconnaissance ship Simferopol in the Danube River delta.
The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Thursday that the Laguna-class vessel, designed for radio, electronic, radar, and optical reconnaissance, was targeted in the Odessa region. Ukrainian authorities confirmed the attack, stating that one sailor was killed, several were injured, and a search operation is underway for missing crew members. Most of the ship’s personnel survived.
Launched in 2019 and inducted into service in 2021, the Simferopol was reportedly the largest naval vessel Ukraine had managed to commission since 2014. According to the WarGonzo Telegram channel, its loss marks a severe blow to Kyiv’s naval capabilities.
The strike also highlights the growing role of unmanned systems in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Citing a UAV expert, Russian state media TASS described the operation as the first confirmed case of a sea drone neutralizing a Ukrainian Navy vessel.
Meanwhile, Russia has accelerated production of naval drones and other unmanned platforms in recent months. On the same night, Moscow also targeted a major drone facility in Kyiv with two missile strikes, according to Ukrainian politician Igor Zinkevich. He claimed the site was preparing to manufacture Turkish-made Bayraktar drones.
The sinking of Simferopol underscores the evolving dynamics of modern warfare, where drones both aerial and naval are increasingly reshaping the battlefield.
