Ukraine hit a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk.

15:17, Thu, Dec 18, 2025 Updated: 15:54, Thu, Dec 18, 2025

Ukrainian strike

Ukrainian strike (Image: X)

A staggering 14 Russian military personnel have reportedly been killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on a submarine. On December 15, 2025, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU), in a joint operation with the Naval Forces, conducted a unique special operation in the port of Novorossiysk using newly developed Sub Sea Baby underwater drones.

For the first time in history, these uncrewed underwater vehicles struck a Russian Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class (Improved Kilo-class) diesel-electric submarine, inflicting critical damage that disabled it from further combat operations, according to the SBU.

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Sternenko

Sternenko shared this satellite image (Image: Sternenko)

Ukrainian military analyst Sternenko posted on Telegram: "Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk, hit by an SBU drone, has started to leak. Literally. Fuel and lubricants are leaking from the Varshavianka-class submarine into the sea.

"In addition, the rear part of the boat is half-submerged. As I reported earlier, the armored hull was punctured and two compartments were flooded.

"The photo shows the layout of the objects and calculations of the critical pressure limits that resulted from the explosion of the SubSeaBaby's warhead.

"Earlier, the Russians claimed that the submarine was completely intact and had not been damaged."

The submarine, equipped with launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles regularly used against Ukrainian targets, was estimated at $400 million, with sanctions potentially raising replacement costs to $500 million.

It had been relocated to Novorossiysk following prior Ukrainian attacks with surface Sea Baby drones that displaced much of Russia's Black Sea Fleet from occupied Sevastopol in Crimea.

Post-strike satellite imagery shows damage to the pier adjacent to the submarine's position, though the hull appears partially intact above water.

Some reports, citing alleged Russian sources, claimed 14 sailors were killed, including nine conscripts and one officer, though this remains unverified and denied by official Russian statements.

Ukrainian officials highlighted the operation's success in penetrating a defended harbour, while Russia denied any damage to naval assets. This strike further constrains Russia's remaining Black Sea submarine force, potentially reducing operational Kalibr carriers to two.