Russia just joined the exploding drone boat fight, hitting Ukraine with one after watching so many of its own warships sink

"Russia's defense ministry said on Thursday that it used a "high-speed unscrewed surface vehicle" to attack and sink the Ukrainian Navy medium reconnaissance ship Simferopol at the mouth of the Danube River, which flows into the Black Sea. Russia published footage that appears to show how the attack unfolded. The drone can be seen slowly approaching the Simferopol and loitering off the side. It then charges at the ship, forcing what looks like several crew members to run. An aerial view then captures a massive fireball in the middle of the river."

"The Simferopol, launched in 2019, seems to have been caught off guard by the attack. The vessel has limited defenses aside from a 30mm artillery system. The Ukrainian Navy acknowledged an attack on one of its ships. A spokesperson said on Friday that at least two crew members had been killed and several sailors were missing or injured. Kyiv did not confirm the time or location of the strike or the status of the Simferopol."

"Russia used an exploding naval drone to attack a Ukrainian ship this week in what appears to be a first for Moscow's forces as they look to replicate the success that Kyiv has found with these weapons. Ukraine has used explosive-packed naval drones throughout the war to attack the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Despite years of watching these operations, there have not been any known instances of Moscow deploying the same capability in combat - until now."

Russia said it used a high-speed unmanned surface vessel to attack and sink the Ukrainian Navy medium reconnaissance ship Simferopol at the mouth of the Danube River, near the Black Sea. Published footage appears to show the drone loitering alongside the vessel before charging and producing a massive explosion. The Simferopol, launched in 2019, had limited defenses beyond a 30mm artillery system and appears to have been caught off guard. Ukraine reported at least two crew members killed and several sailors missing or injured, while not confirming exact timing, location, or the ship's status. The drone's type and launch point remain unclear and independent verification is lacking. The strike represents a notable development given Ukraine's prior extensive use of explosive-packed naval drones and appears to be Moscow's first known deployment of the capability.

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