Strike from Underwater: How Ukraine Disabled a Russian Submarine in Novorossiysk

Ukraine announced a successful attack on a Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk. The operation was carried out using the latest underwater drones and became one of the most notable episodes of naval confrontation throughout the war.

December 15, 2025 The Security Service of Ukraine reported a successful operation against a “Varshavyanka” class submarine located in the Russian port. According to the Ukrainian side, the submarine sustained critical damage and is effectively out of commission.

What exactly happened

According to the SBU statement, the strike was carried out using Sub Sea Baby underwater drones. This is the first recorded instance where Ukraine publicly claims to have hit a submarine of this class specifically with marine drones.

The exact date of the attack is not disclosed. However, the Ukrainian side has already released video materials capturing the moment of the explosion and the aftermath of the operation. Judging by the footage, it is not a symbolic damage but a serious blow to the submarine’s hull.

The paragraph is short — because the fact is key.

Why this submarine was an important target

At the time of the attack, the submarine was equipped with four launchers for “Kalibr” cruise missiles. Such submarines are actively used by Russia for strikes on Ukrainian territory from the sea.

Project 636.3 submarines, known as “Varshavyanka,” are considered among the quietest in the world. In NATO, they are unofficially called “black hole” for their ability to effectively absorb sound and evade sonar detection.

This makes them a key element of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.

The cost of the matter

The estimated cost of one such submarine is about 400 million dollars. Considering sanctions, limited access to components, and repair difficulties, the real replacement cost can reach up to 500 million dollars.

But it’s not just about the money. The loss of a combat-ready submarine is a blow to the fleet’s capabilities, which cannot be quickly compensated.

Moscow’s reaction — silence

At the time of publication, the Russian side has not provided official comments. Neither the Russian Ministry of Defense nor the Black Sea Fleet confirmed or denied the information about the attack.

The lack of reaction itself attracted the attention of observers. In such cases, Russian agencies usually either promptly refute the reports or publish an alternative version of events.

Here — a pause.

What this changes at sea

The Ukrainian operation in Novorossiysk shows that the war at sea has entered a new phase. It is no longer just about surface drones and attacks on ships at docks, but also about targeted strikes on underwater targets.

The use of autonomous underwater drones against submarines changes the risk balance. Even ports and bases considered relatively safe cease to be so.

The paragraph is longer — because the consequences are systemic.

Israeli perspective

In the Israeli information space, this operation has already received a symbolic interpretation. Commentators and analysts compare the strike on the submarine to lighting the first Hanukkah candle — a small action, followed by light that traditionally grows stronger each day.

There are also direct calls to continue pressure on Russian military facilities, especially those used for strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.

Technology against imperial inertia

The attack in Novorossiysk highlights another trend: Ukraine is betting on asymmetric, high-tech solutions. Underwater drones, marine drones, pinpoint operations — all of this reduces the significance of the enemy’s numerical superiority.

In the context of sanctions and Russia’s technological isolation, such strikes become not just military episodes but indicators of deeper processes.

Conclusion

If the SBU data is confirmed by independent sources, it will be one of the most painful blows to the Russian fleet during the entire war. The loss or prolonged incapacitation of a “Varshavyanka” class submarine is not a local incident but a strategic signal.

This is why this story has gone far beyond a military report and has become a topic of discussion in Israel and beyond — as an example of how technological advantage and determination can change the course of the war, as noted by NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, connecting a regional perspective with global reality.