Crimea Under Threat As Russians Fret Over Ukraine's New 'Floating MLRS'

Russian military bloggers are voicing concerns about Ukraine's innovative use of maritime drones equipped with multiple-launch rocket systems. A leading analyst has suggested these drones could significantly impact naval warfare.

Earlier this month, footage from Russian state news agency Tass showed a Russian Ka-29 helicopter engaging a naval drone operated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency, the GUR. The drone appeared to be armed with R-73 air-to-air anti-aircraft missiles in the Black Sea. Additionally, a source from Ukraine's state security service, the SBU, told Newsweek that modified Sea Baby drones were deployed against Russian forces.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russia's Black Sea Fleet with these attack drones as part of its efforts to reclaim the Black Sea peninsula, annexed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014.

Prominent pro-Kremlin military bloggers have taken to Telegram to discuss these new drones. One blogger emphasized the need for Russia to develop countermeasures and similar weapons. The Rybar channel commented on the drones' lack of accuracy but acknowledged their potential to create significant problems in the Black Sea.

Military Informant, another Telegram channel, shared footage of Ukraine's repurposed naval drones, referring to them as "floating MLRS [multiple rocket launchers]." Newsweek could not independently verify this footage. Pro-war blogger Poddubny noted that equipping drones with such weapons allows for strikes from a distance, avoiding close encounters with targets.

H.I. Sutton, a maritime security analyst, wrote in Naval News that Ukraine's naval drones, previously defenseless against Russian helicopters, could shift the balance with their new armament of repurposed air-to-air missiles. He described this development as a "significant step in the development of naval drones."

Sutton highlighted that Ukraine is the first to equip naval drones with air-defense missiles, potentially changing the dynamics of naval warfare. He pointed out that other countries have considered arming USVs (unmanned surface vehicles) with air defense, but Ukraine's system is the first to be operationally deployed and used in combat.

Sutton suggested that these modified drones could ambush Russian aircraft taking off or landing at Crimean air bases. He mentioned circumstantial evidence indicating that such attacks might have already occurred.