The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has conducted another unique special operation that triggered an explosion in the port of Novorossiysk. For the first time in history, Sub Sea Baby underwater drones blew up a Russian Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class submarine (NATO reporting name: Kilo class).
The SBU announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.
The explosion critically damaged the submarine, effectively putting it out of operation.
The submarine was equipped with four Kalibr cruise missile launch systems, which the enemy uses to conduct missile attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy jointly conducted the operation.
A Varshavyanka-class submarine is estimated to be worth around USD 400 million. Because of current international sanctions, constructing a similar vessel today could cost up to USD 500 million.
This class of submarines is also known as the “black hole” because of its hull’s ability to absorb sound and remain nearly undetectable to sonar.
The submarine had been forced to remain in the port of Novorossiysk following special operations by Sea Baby surface maritime drones, which had driven Russian ships and submarines out of the Sevastopol Bay in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
