Ukraine’s use of aerial drones and robot boats is significantly disrupting Russian naval operations in the Black Sea, changing the strategic approach to maritime conflicts.

Following the loss of its naval headquarters and much of its fleet in 2014, and the near destruction of its navy in 2022, Ukraine turned to uncrewed weapons out of necessity.

Employing missiles and increasingly sophisticated drones, Ukraine’s Navy and Intelligence Directorate have launched numerous successful attacks on Russian targets, including a significant October 2022 strike on Sevastopol.

These drone attacks, now frequent, have damaged multiple Russian vessels and demonstrated the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of uncrewed systems, Defense One has reported.

Notable successes include the sinking of the Caesar Kunikov landing ship and the Sergey Kotov patrol boat.

Ukraine estimates that its missile and drone strikes have incapacitated about a third of the Black Sea Fleet, a substantial blow to Russia given its significant post-2014 naval investments.

This has pushed Russian forces away from the Ukrainian coast, allowing safer commercial shipping routes for Ukrainian exports.

Written by B.C. Begley