Ukraine unveils secret sea drones: game-changer in countering Russian forces

At a secret military base, Ukraine has developed sea drones, which are crucial for attacking and surveilling Russians in the Black Sea and Crimea. 

CNN was given exclusive access to this base by a secret lake, where they tested highly praised sea drones.

 “As the tarps are drawn back, a gun-gray, sleek hull appears. Just over five meters (16 feet) in length, its narrow shape resembles a wide canoe,” journalists describe the appearance of the Ukrainian development.

The sea drone pilot known as "Shark" demonstrates a sophisticated mission control setup resembling an “elaborate gaming center,” with multiple screens, levers, joysticks, and buttons protected by covers to prevent accidental activation.

The anonymous drone developer mentioned that their work on the sea drones began during the war because Ukraine lacked sufficient resources to counter Russia's maritime strength.

“It was ‘very important, because we did not have very many forces to resist the maritime state - Russia. And we needed to develop something of our own, because we didn’t have the existing capabilities’,” the source told CNN.

Battles in the Black Sea

The latest drones, as observed by CNN, weigh up to 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) and carry an explosive payload of up to 300 kilograms (661 pounds). They can cover a range of 800 kilometers (500 miles) and achieve a maximum speed of 80 kph (50 mph).

Sea drone attacks on Russian assets in Crimea and the Black Sea have made headlines, confirmed by Ukrainian defense sources. They targeted the Kerch Bridge and Sevastopol port, and on 14th July, the Ukrainian security services and navy claimed joint responsibility for a second attack on the Kerch Bridge.

The USD 4 billion bridge, personally opened by Putin, is a vital target to disrupt Russian forces' resupply in the annexed peninsula and occupied areas. A recent attack rendered a part of the bridge unusable until September.

The developer proudly asserts that “these drones are a completely Ukrainian production. They are designed, drawn and tested here. It’s our own production of hulls, electronics and software. More than 50% of the production of equipment is here (in Ukraine).”

The Russians are struggling to adapt to Ukraine's advanced capabilities. The drones' speed and stealth likely explain how they managed to attack the bridge undetected during the dark journey across the Black Sea.

“It is very difficult for them to get into such a small drone, it is very difficult to find it. The speed of these drones exceeds any sea craft in the Black Sea region at the moment,” the developer says.

Targeting flagships

Ukraine has targeted Russia's Black Sea Fleet with their new equipment, launching several missile attacks and putting the Russians on notice.

In October of the previous year, sea drones attacked the flagship of Russia's fleet, the Admiral Makarov, while it was docked in Sevastopol. Though the extent of the damage was unclear, the Ukrainians' ability to strike the vessel showcased their success.

The attack on the Admiral Makarov provided a morale boost to Kyiv's forces, particularly after the Ukrainian forces had famously sunk the previous Black Sea flagship, the Moskva, in April 2022.

"Shark," controlling the sea drone, reveals that these drones are designed to “destroy ships and the fleet… such things that are used quite successfully and terrify the Russians.”

By targeting Russian naval targets, the developer believes they can push the Russians deeper into the Black Sea, making missile strikes into Ukraine more challenging. “300, 400, 600 kilometers is a long distance that makes some operations impossible and makes other operations more difficult,” he told CNN.

According to him, the drones have made cities like Odesa “safer”, but after the bridge strike, the city faced intense air attacks from Russian fleet-launched drones and cruise missiles, as Russia claimed it was “responding to an area it says was housing sea drones.” 

Nonetheless, the developer boasts about a significant technological gap between Ukrainian and Russian forces. “I think it will be five to 10 years or more before they (Russians) can effectively counter this type of equipment. Their equipment is from the 20th century, ours is from the 21st. There are 100 years between us.”