Ukrainian naval drone destroys Russian explosive drone boat in the Black Sea

A Ukrainian Navy drone boat destroyed a Russian uncrewed surface vessel on September 12, using a remote-controlled machine gun turret. Ukraine's Defense Intelligence detected the Russian vessel in the Black Sea and directed the Ukrainian drone boat to intercept it.

Naval analyst H.I. Sutton, writing in Naval News, identified the Russian vessel as an Orcan surface drone — a jet-ski-type craft designed to ram targets and detonate. Sutton said Orcan drones have already been used to attack Ukrainian ports and ships, sometimes working alongside Russian Geran reconnaissance drones that relay communications between operators and drone boats.

Ars Technica described the engagement as the first clash between drone boats in the war. Both sides have deployed uncrewed surface vessels widely, alongside flying attack drones and ground robots.