The Russian military industry seeks to close the gap with Ukraine in the development of surface-level kamikaze drones.
What British intelligence found out
As noted in the summary, on November 27, 2023, the chief of the Russian company KMZ, Mikhail Davydenko, announced that their drones would be tested in the war with Ukraine to establish serial production in 2024.
According to British intelligence, KMZ previously produced several drones, but they have begun promoting their kamikaze drone capabilities in recent months. Danylenko said that the boat can carry ammunition weighing up to 600 kg.
Navies have employed USVs since the Second World War. However, with modern types resembling speedboats packed with explosives, in the hands of Ukrainian forces they have emerged as a key capability in maritime domain since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the British Ministry of Defense notes.
What is known about Ukrainian naval drones
On August 24, the DIU chief Kyrylo Budanov said that Russia destroys up to 70% of Ukrainian maritime kamikaze drones, but this is an effective weapon.
Budanov also emphasized that naval drones are a weapon of deterrence, not offensive. They can paralyze the fleet.
According to him, Ukraine has already mastered "normal serial production" of marine kamikaze drones.
On the night of July 17, explosions rang out on the Crimean Bridge for the second time since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, after which all traffic on it was stopped. The Russians admit that they will not be able to restore it until the end of 2023.
On August 16, the CNN channel published a video that captured the moment of the July attack by an experimental naval drone.
The SSU chief, Vasyl Malyuk, told reporters that the Sea Baby drone was the result of many months of development, which began immediately after the full-scale invasion of Russia.
For the first time, he acknowledged Ukraine's involvement in the second bombing of the Crimean Bridge. In July, he announced that his exceptional service was first in October 2022.
