Ukraine Uses small experimental maritime drones to attack Russian shipping and strategic bridge Crimea. This was confirmed to CNN by the Ukrainian security services, who provided the news channel with exclusive images of these devices that could revolutionize future naval warfare.
In this way, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Something that has been announced for months is acknowledged for the first time: the utility Marine drones By European country.
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CNN A video was accessed from July 17 of a marine drone attack that caused damage to the highway. Kerch Bridge. According to Russian officials, the operation killed two civilians.
A CNN video shows the pilot’s screen moments before Sea child 850 kg of explosives were detonated on one of the concrete supports bridge.
CNN also obtained video of a drone strike on the highway side of the bridge, followed by another drone strike on the railway side.
It joins the second attack on this strategic bridgehead Russia cheater Crimea. It was inaugurated by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin In 2018, four years after the annexation of that Ukrainian peninsula.
SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk told CNN that the maritime drone, dubbed “Sea Baby,” is the result of months of development that began after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
“Sea surface drones are a unique innovation of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU),” Maliuk said. “No private companies are involved. Using these drones, we recently carried out a successful strike on the Crimean Bridge, a large attack vessel. Olengorsky Korniak And the tanker say“, he added.
CNN noted that Vasyl Maliuk was referring to the SIG tanker that was hit in the Black Sea. According to Ukrainian officials, it carried fuel for the Russian military.
“Attack on Russian attack ship shows further range for Ukrainian military, attacking 100-man ship in Novorossiysk, Russian naval port on eastern Black Sea coast.” CNN pointed out.
As for the Russian ship Olenegorsky Korniak, a 112-meter ship built by the Soviet Union in the 1970s, was attacked by a Ukrainian maritime drone on August 4 in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the attack was “absolved” but Ukrainian troops assured Reuters that it had “received a major breach and is currently unable to carry out its combat missions”.
What about maritime drones?
Marine drones Small unmanned ship It, unlike aerial ones, runs on or below the surface of water.
Accordingly BBC MundoThese drones can be used to clear mined areas, conduct surveillance, and detonate near targets such as enemy ships.
These marine drones have built-in explosives and cameras that transmit images to the person controlling them. They can be deployed quickly, without the need for a fully trained crew.
According to CNN, a Ukrainian government-linked fundraising organization called United24 raised money from companies and individuals around the world to fund the maritime drone project.
Two weeks ago, CNN had access to a secret military base where these drones are manufactured. Ukraine.
CNN was able to see maritime drones weighing up to 1,000 kg, explosive power up to 300 kg, range of 800 kilometers and top speed of 80 km/h.
“These drones are a completely Ukrainian product. Here they are designed, drawn and tested. It is our own production of helmets, electronics and software. More than 50% of equipment manufacturing is located here [en Ucrania]one of the developers told CNN.
Regarding Russia’s defense of neutralizing the maritime drone, the developer said, “It’s very difficult for them to see such a small drone, it’s very difficult to find it … The speed of these drones is higher than any maritime vessel in the region. Black Sea now.
“I think it will take five to 10 years or more for (the Russians) to effectively counter this type of equipment… Their equipment is from the 20th century, ours is from the 21st century. There are 100 years between us”, the developer condemned.
