The Russian Navy is set to induct a ship-launched kamikaze drone to counter increasing Ukrainian marine drone attacks on naval vessels. The unidentified drone, capable of striking both land and sea targets, can be launched from ships and boats, as reported by Russia’s state-owned Izvestia. The decision to develop this drone followed a 2021 military exercise that showcased the effectiveness of loitering munitions in protecting landing marines on the coast.
Despite its advantages, experts note that the technology is challenging to operate due to the lack of landmarks in the sea. Military expert Dmitry Boltenkov emphasized the difficulty of controlling flight over water but highlighted the drone’s capability to strike Ukrainian sea targets without approaching the shore. Several Russian vessels have fallen victim to Ukrainian marine attack drones, leading to the replacement of the Russian Navy chief by Moscow.
These attacks have forced the Russian Black Sea Fleet to retreat, granting Ukraine accessible shipping routes and preventing Russian forces from maintaining continuous battlefield surveillance.
