Small remote-controlled boats filled with explosives are Ukraine’s new ace up its sleeve.
The recent attacks on Russian targets in the Black Sea demonstrate the success of maritime drones.
– I think it shows that Ukraine is good at using its entire population and its entire country’s competence to defend itself, says Hans Liwång, docent in defense systems at the Norwegian Defense Academy.
The attacks of the last few days by the Ukrainian military against Russian targets in the Black Sea show, according to analysts, the success of Ukraine’s so-called maritime drones. The small remote-controlled boats filled with explosives represent a new front in the war and a difficult threat for Russia.
In July, the drones caused severe damage to the Kerch bridge to occupied Crimea. Last week, the landing craft Olenegorsky Gornyak and a Russian tanker were hit by similar attacks.
According to the Ukrainian military, the sea drones have a range of 80 miles and can be loaded with almost half a ton of explosives. They have been developed in Ukraine and are mainly a threat to slow ships and Russian ports.
– So far, the war has mainly been on land. Now it will be the case that Russia can no longer operate as they wish in the Black Sea, they have to think about their own protection, says Hans Liwång.
Important on a psychological level
The war in the trenches in eastern Ukraine is frustrating for the Ukrainian military and the counteroffensive is slow.
But even if Hans Liwång does not believe that the sea drones will change the development of war on any major level, he believes that they are important, perhaps above all on a psychological level.
– I think it shows that Ukraine is good at using its entire population and its entire country’s competence to defend itself, they have been good at that throughout the war. You develop new products, make sure you can manufacture them and use them efficiently, says Liwång.
Will these types of attacks on the Black Sea continue?
– Maybe not a lot, every week, but we will probably see this type of attack repeated in the coming period.