Ukraine hits Russian submarine in first underwater drone attack

Ukrainian underwater drones struck and disabled a Russian Kilo-class attack submarine in the Russian navy’s most important remaining Black Sea base, in the first operation of its kind, Ukrainian officials said on Monday (December 15, 2025).

The strike carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) with its “Sub Sea Baby” drones hit the submarine in the port of Novorossiysk where Russia has rebased many naval vessels to put them out of reach of Ukrainian strikes.

Footage published by the SBU showed a powerful explosion erupting from the water at a pier near where a submarine and other vessels were docked. Reuters confirmed the location of the video using the port’s layout and piers.