Sea Drones in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Sea drones have become increasingly pivotal in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. These unmanned underwater vessels are rapidly gaining prominence, potentially reshaping the landscape of naval warfare. Unlike their aerial counterparts, sea drones operate on or below the water’s surface, serving various functions ranging from environmental monitoring to military applications such as mine clearance, surveillance, and target detonation. In this article, we explore the impact of sea drones in the conflict and their potential significance in future naval engagements.

While these seaborne drones go by several names, including drone boats, drone ships, and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), they come in diverse shapes and sizes. Notably, they have been utilized for critical military operations. Some of these drones have made headlines since the war’s inception, with reports of one washing up on the shores of Russian-occupied Crimea. Furthermore, Ukraine has recently introduced the Toloka TLK-150, an unmanned undersea drone prototype.

Common features among sea drones include built-in explosives and cameras, allowing remote operators to monitor and control the vessels. These drones are typically programmed with long-range targets upon launch, guided by human operators as they approach their objectives. Some Ukrainian sea drones have been developed through crowdfunding campaigns, often using off-the-shelf components designed for commercial rather than military purposes.

While there have been claims in Russian media and blogs suggesting Russia’s use of sea drones in attacks, concrete evidence remains elusive. The exact numbers of sea drones held by each side and their costs remain undisclosed, but some estimates suggest they are more cost-effective than many long-range missiles. Additionally, sea drones can be swiftly deployed without the need for a fully-trained crew.

Ukraine has reportedly executed at least 13 attacks with sea drones, targeting military vessels, Russia’s naval base in Sevastopol, and Novorossiysk harbor. Some of these attacks have extended beyond Ukrainian waters, such as the incident involving drone ships approaching the Russian intelligence-gathering vessel, Ivan Khurs, though it is uncertain whether the ship was damaged.

Ukraine’s utilization of sea drones at a relatively low cost signifies a new era in naval warfare. These unmanned vessels pose an increasing risk to Russia due to their stealthy nature—difficult to detect on radar and notably quieter compared to conventional naval vessels. Despite having a limited navy, Ukraine’s sea drones have impeded Russia’s complete control of the Black Sea.

One remarkable milestone in this conflict was the October 2022 attack on Russia’s naval base in Sevastopol, involving both sea and aerial drones. This attack damaged at least three Russian ships. Russia has since fortified its defenses around the base, as evidenced by recent satellite images.

However, sea drones are not without limitations. They may have narrow field-of-view sensors, making tracking moving targets and spotting camouflaged ships challenging without precise location data. Furthermore, drones with onboard cameras require constant communication with their operators for target guidance, making them vulnerable to mission failures in case of video streaming issues.

In summary, while the use of sea drones in the Ukraine-Russia conflict is still in its experimental phase, Ukraine’s strategic approach has garnered international attention and may encourage other naval forces to develop similar systems and operational practices. Sea drones have the potential to alter the course of naval warfare, and their impact in this ongoing conflict underscores their significance in modern military operations.