Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has revealed further details about the unprecedented “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drone strike that disabled a Russian submarine last week.
In a statement published Tuesday, Dec. 23, the SBU said the operation was possible thanks to a successful hit on a Russian anti-submarine aircraft that could have thwarted the attack.
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According to the SBU, officers from its 13th Main Directorate of the Military Counterintelligence Department hit a modernized Russian Il-38N reconnaissance aircraft, known as the “Sea Dragon,” at the Yeysk air base during preparations for the strike.
The Il-38N is designed for maritime surveillance, submarine detection, sea-area control, mine-laying, and torpedo attacks. The aircraft that was struck had been actively countering the operation of Ukrainian naval drones. Its estimated value is about $24 million.
The SBU said Russia had only one aircraft of this class in the Black Sea capable of detecting Ukraine’s “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drone as it moved toward its target. Disabling the plane, Ukrainian officials said, ensured the success of the main phase of the operation – hitting the Varshavyanka (Kilo-class) type submarine.
To strike the Il-38N, the SBU used a drone equipped with an above-ground blast warhead containing around 2,000 downward-directed striking elements. The explosion occurred directly above the compartment housing the aircraft’s main equipment and radar systems and also damaged one of its engines.
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Footage released by the SBU shows the successful attack on the Russian aircraft and, according to the agency, exposes a level of vulnerability at Russia’s strategic military facilities that differs sharply from Moscow’s internal reports and public statements.
“The Security Service of Ukraine will continue to strike legitimate military targets of the enemy and destroy them where they least expect it,” the agency said.
Last week, Ukraine launched a new, previously unreported “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drone and sank a Russian Kilo-class submarine in the Novorossiysk port, according to the SBU.
The SBU did not specify the date and time of the attack.
The SBU said “a Russian submarine of the class 636.3 ‘Varshavyanka’” was struck and “suffered critical damage and was actually put out of action.”
Footage released with the announcement shows multiple Russian warships docked at Novorossiysk, with the surfaced submarine at the pier as an explosion sends up splashes nearby.