Ukraine claims strike on Russian submarine in Novorossiysk with sea drones

Kyiv says Kilo-class submarine is knocked out of operation in the first such attack using Sea Baby drones.Published On 15 Dec 2025Ukraine has carried out a successful underwater drone strike on a Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk, causing critical damage to the vessel, its domestic security service says.In a statement on Monday, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the Kilo-class submarine was knocked out of operation in the first such attack by Sea Baby drones.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4What is the significance of Trump’s deal with Belarus?list 2 of 4“Extremely unlikely” Russia and Ukraine will reach ceasefirelist 3 of 4Ukraine drops NATO bid: Will Kyiv get security guarantees from the West?list 4 of 4Europe’s efforts to undermine Trump’s plan on Ukraine may backfireend of list“The Security Service of Ukraine carried out another unique special operation and launched a naval attack in the port of Novorossiysk,” the SBU said on Telegram.The SBU said the submarine “carried four Kalibr cruise missile launchers” used to strike Ukrainian territory. It suffered “critical damage and was effectively put out of action”, the service said.There was no immediate comment from Russia on the Ukrainian claim.The SBU made its announcement amid a flurry of diplomatic activity as United States, European and Ukrainian officials held talks in Berlin on a US plan to end Russia’s war on its neighbour.Ukraine has been trying to show it can inflict significant damage on Russia, especially after US President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not “have the cards” in the negotiations.Kyiv has stepped up naval attacks in on what it said were Russia-linked vessels, and continued to carry out attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure as well as military targets.Russia has escalated attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent weeks and continues to claim advances on the front lines in eastern Ukraine.‘Turning point’Ukrainian navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said the operation to hit a submarine, a most difficult target to hit, marked “another turning point” in the naval battle between Ukraine and Russia.