Ukraine’s Sea Drones Are a Nightmare for Russia

A Russian oil tanker is the most recent victim of a Ukrainian sea drone attack in the Black Sea. And while consumer drones that drop grenades and evacuate the wounded have been making headlines in Russia’s war of choice in Ukraine, sea drone technology might very well change naval warfare forever.

Since about mid-year last year, Ukraine has been trying to deliver a message to both Putin’s regime and the Russian population that the war can spill over into their territory.

After some limited success with strikes on the Kerch Straight Bridge, drone strikes on Moscow, and a daring drone attack against a Russian AWACS, Ukraine is now going after Russia’s critical infrastructure in earnest.

On Sunday, Ukraine’s defense ministry confirmed that it struck key bridges on one of two roads that connect Crimea to the Ukrainian mainland — they used Storm Shadow cruise missiles from the UK.

But the most recent example of an infrastructure strike is Ukraine’s bold sea drone attacks on Russia’s Black Sea routes that are vital for Russian exports.

How vital?

All of Russia’s grain exports and about 20% of its oil make their way to global markets via the Black Sea.