Ukrainian naval drones hit Russian submarine carrying Kalibr missiles in Novorossiysk

In the port of Novorossiysk, Russia, Sub Sea Baby underwater drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) for the first time in history struck a Russian Project 636.3 Varshavyanka class submarine (NATO designation: Kilo). As a result of the explosion, the submarine sustained critical damage and is effectively out of service.

According to Ukrinform, the SBU reported this on its website.

"Four launchers of Kalibr cruise missiles, which the enemy uses to strike Ukrainian territory, were located on board the submarine," the SBU stated.

The operation was a joint effort of the SBU's 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy.

"The cost of a Varshavyanka-class submarine is about $400 million. Considering the current international sanctions, building a similar submarine could now cost up to $500 million. This class of submarines is also known as a 'Black Hole' due to its hull's ability to absorb sound and remain largely undetectable by sonar," the SBU noted.

The Ukrainian intelligence agency recalled that the targeted submarine had been forced to remain in the port of Novorossiysk due to successful operations by Sea Baby surface drones, which drove Russian ships and submarines out of Sevastopol Bay in temporarily occupied Crimea.

As Ukrinform reported, according to the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Navy, Captain 3rd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk, the Russian fleet has suffered significant losses, including 15 enemy ships destroyed and another 12 damaged.