WSJ: Ukrainian Sea Baby drones attack 4 Russian ships with underwater mine strategy

According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2023, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) used a revolutionary naval tactic, deploying “Sea Baby” drones to place over 15 underwater mines near Russian-occupied Crimea. The operation damaged four Russian warships, including the corvette Samum, the patrol boat Pavel Derzhavin, a large tugboat, and a modern minesweeper Vladimir Kozitsky.

The SBU developed this strategy after Russia fortified the port entrance to Sevastopol against direct drone attacks. The 180 kg plastic bottom mines are difficult to detect in shallow, muddy waters. After six weeks of intelligence gathering, the SBU’s Sea Baby drones secretly placed two mines along Russian sea routes.

The effectiveness of the operation was demonstrated when the Samum struck a mine on September 14, suffering significant damage. In the following weeks, the Sea Baby drones traveled over 3,000 nautical miles and laid about 15 more mines.

The Russians were initially baffled by the situation. On October 11, the large patrol boat Pavel Derzhavin damaged its hull as it entered Sevastopol Bay. Minesweepers and divers searched the area but apparently found nothing. On October 13, when Pavel Derzhavin was diverted to another port for repairs, it struck another mine as it left Sevastopol Bay. A large tugboat sent to rescue it also struck a mine and had to be towed back.

The WSJ noted that a few days later, an explosion also damaged the modern minesweeper Vladimir Kozitsky, one of only two such vessels in Russian service.

This remote mining operation is unprecedented in the world and illustrates Ukraine’s innovative approach to asymmetric warfare.

The Sea Baby drones, which can carry 850 kg of explosives, reach speeds of 90 km/h and travel 1,000 km, have attacked a total of 11 Russian ships and the Kerch Bridge. Recent upgrades include Grad multiple rocket launchers, which now enable them to attack land-based Russian forces.

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