The Battle of the Black Sea has escalated significantly during 2023. 

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been pushed out of the north-western Black Sea, with most Russian warships retreating in recent months from their traditional home port of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea. 

The reason is apparently the massive back-to-back hits of Russian vessels (including the Rostov-on-Don Kilo-class submarine) by the Ukrainians using Scalp-Storm Shadow missiles and USVs.

Also read: Ukraine | Confirmed use of Storm Shadow long-range missiles

Satellite footage and international media reports in early October 2023 confirmed the above, which was owing to the “Distributed Lethality” tactic that has been extensively analyzed here.

In this article, the focus will be on the Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) that Ukraine deployed in order to achieve its objectives.

Sea Baby

On January 1, 2024, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) shared a video of the Sea Baby unmanned surface vehicle firing rockets (watch the relevant video at the end of the article).

According to H.I. Sutton, an OSINT analyst, the munitions fired by Sea Baby drone were possibly RPV-16 thermobaric rockets, which are unguided and have a range of some 1,000 meters. As he mentioned, it was already known that the Sea Baby USVs were carrying some type of rockets or missiles. Variations of two, four, and six small missile launchers have been seen. 

The Sea Baby USVs were used for the first time in the Kerch Bridge attack. The head of the SBU, Vasily Malyuk, told pravda.com.ua that SBU developed this USV itself without the involvement of private companies.

Also read: The use of USVs in Crimea & the Greek-made i-sostis and Sea Rider | Photos & VIDEOS

Sea Baby is not only a naval kamikaze drone, but also a modular, multipurpose platform, on which various types of remotely-controlled weapons are mounted. Only limited specifications about the “Sea Baby” are known, such as that it is equipped with an 850 kg explosive payload in kamikaze configurations and that it carries a state-of-the-art communications system.

The Security Service of Ukraine has also recently reported that it has another naval drone in service that helps conduct operations in the Black Sea. Its name is Mamai.

The Mamai, a kamikaze drone with a payload of 450 kg, is named after Kozak Mamai, a Ukrainian folk hero, and serves multiple roles such as a strike UAV, a communications hub, and a platform for launching other weapons.

It features an electro-optical (EO) system on the top hull, with a flat dish antenna – presumably a Starlink terminal. However, the nature of this feature is unclear, given Elon Musk’s reluctance to be embroiled in a war with Russia.

The design uses a planing hull, which allows a reported top speed of 60 knots. One, sometimes two, satellite communications antennae are fitted. The warhead is detonated by any of three impact sensors protruding at the bow. 

The Mamai-type system is combat-proven. It was used in the attacks on the Ropucha-class landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak and the tanker Sig. 

Also read: Ukrainian war | Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian targets – VIDEO

The Ukrainian defence industry developed a new USV, MAGURA V5.  The V-type Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus (MAGURA) is a new-generation multi-purpose USV, which can perform a variety of operations such as surveillance, reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, marine protection, and combat missions.

Regarding its technical characteristics, the Magura V5 is relatively compact, measuring 5500 mm in length, 1500 mm in width, and 500 mm in height above the waterline. However, its smaller size doesn’t compromise its performance or capabilities.

The V5 features a cruising speed of 22 knots and a maximum speed of 42 knots. It also features an impressive range of 450 nautical miles, allowing for extensive operations without refuelling. In addition, it has a load capacity of 320 kg, making it capable of carrying various payloads, including surveillance equipment, rescue tools, or weapons.

Its connectivity options include a mesh radio with an air-based repeater or satellite communications (SatCom), ensuring reliable and continuous communication with command centers.

Also read: B5 Hydra | Cyprus-based Swarmly Aero’s unmanned surface vessel

In the dynamic landscape of modern warfare, the utilization of kamikaze drones, exemplified by Ukraine’s strategic deployment against the Russian Black Sea Fleet, underscores the transformative impact of asymmetric threats on naval warfare.

That could be food for thought with regard to challenging the traditional defence paradigms applied by the two Nations of Hellenism, given that Turkey has developed similar capabilities.

Also read: Turkey | “Swarm” of “kamikaze” USVs Albatros under the guidance of UAV TB2 Bayraktar – VIDEO

It should be noted that, according to our information, an echelon of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was recently in Cyprus to be informed about the capabilities of the B5 Hydra of the Cypriot company Swarmly and it is likely that the said system will be witnessed in the Ukrainian theatre of operations very soon.