A newly released video shows a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet attempting to sink a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Black Sea. The jet reportedly dropped unguided bombs and switched to its cannon in a desperate effort, but the USV appears to have survived. The incident underscores the growing challenge of defending against maritime drones.
A newly released video shows a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet attempting to sink a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Black Sea. The footage, reportedly taken from the Ukrainian drone, appears to show the Russian jet dropping unguided bombs and switching to its cannon in a desperate effort to stop the boat. The USV appears to have survived the encounter, marking a significant failure for the Russian pilot.
Ukraine has increasingly used USVs to target Russian naval assets and commercial shipping in the Black Sea. The Zioneer has reported on several such incidents in recent weeks: on June 23, a Ukrainian maritime drone disabled a cargo vessel en route to Novorossiysk; on June 20, a Russian truck driver evaded a drone in Crimea; and on June 13, a large Ukrainian drone attack targeted infrastructure in Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry has previously claimed to have intercepted many drones, but the effectiveness of USVs remains a concern.
The incident underscores the growing challenge for Russian forces in countering low-cost, agile maritime drones, which have become a key asymmetric weapon for Ukraine in the Black Sea theater. The authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified by The Zioneer.
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