Ukraine has suffered a major naval setback after its largest reconnaissance ship, the Simferopol, was sunk in what Russia claims to be its first successful sea drone attack. The Russian Defence Ministry announced that the Laguna-class ship, designed for advanced electronic, radar, radio, and optical reconnaissance, was struck in the delta of the River Danube, which partially lies in Ukraine’s Odessa Region. Reports from Russian state media described the attack as a landmark operation, marking the first time a Ukrainian Navy vessel has been destroyed using an unmanned sea drone.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the strike resulted in the death of one sailor and injuries to several others. The Ukrainian Navy confirmed that the majority of the crew survived, although search operations continue for those missing. The Simferopol was commissioned in 2019 and entered service two years later, making it the largest ship Ukraine had managed to launch since 2014.

Drone Warfare And Escalation

This incident highlights the growing role of unmanned technology in modern warfare. Russian media cited experts who noted that the use of sea drones in active combat represents a significant escalation in naval capabilities. The attack comes at a time when Russia has accelerated its production of unmanned naval systems, aiming to strengthen its dominance in the ongoing conflict.

Additional strikes continue across Ukraine. Russian forces reportedly hit a major drone production facility in Kiev overnight with two missile strikes, according to local politician Igor Zinkevich. The site was allegedly preparing to produce Turkish Bayraktar drones, a system that has become symbolic of Ukraine’s defense strategies. The sinking of the Simferopol underscores both Ukraine’s vulnerability at sea and Russia’s evolving approach to drone warfare. With new technologies shaping the battlefield, the conflict continues to intensify, pushing both nations deeper into a technological arms race.