Another attack at sea: Ukrainian sea drones hit Russian ship Sergei Kotov

On the night of March 5, Ukrainian naval drones attacked with new force, this time targeting a Russian patrol vessel Sergei Kotov. The consequences of this attack, documented by the military intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) and published in the form of recordings, shed light on the increasing tensions in the region.

Ukrainian armed forces continue to use modern unmanned technologies in activities in the Black Sea. This time, using naval autonomous systems (drones) Magura V5, an attack on a Russian patrol vessel was carried out Sergei Kotov who was the patrol ship of Project 22160. An attack last night by "Group 13", one of Ukrainian military intelligence units, took place near the Kerchen Strait between occupied Crimea and Krasnodarsk Country in Russia.

Published recordings show dramatic moments of attack. The explosion, captured on the film, illustrates the power and precision of Ukrainian sea drones. On the video, we see these devices target Sergei Kotov's side, causing a large explosion.

See also the analysis of how drones pose a threat to critical infrastructure.

The Russian Ministry of Defence responded to these reports, claiming that the attack was repulsed and the ship did not suffer major damage.​​. However, the film material presented by Ukraine sheds new light on the effectiveness and scope of Ukrainian military intelligence and their ability to carry out precise naval warfare.

These events highlight the growing role of unmanned technologies in modern theatre of war activities. Marine drones, as an effective and relatively inexpensive method of conducting offensive actions, they changed the dynamics of the war in Ukraine, forcing the aggressor to seek new methods of defence and counterattack.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz