The Security Service of Ukraine has claimed the first strike of a Russian submarine using an underwater strike drone in footage seemingly sourced from compromised enemy security cameras.

The operation, if verified, marks a dramatic turn in how nations can project power below the waves and complicates the Kremlin’s ability to deter adversaries who count on tight ship and base security.

On Dec. 15, the SBU published a video on its official government affiliated website reportedly showing the Sub Sea Baby drone striking a part of the Kilo-class submarine stationed at the Novorossiysk Russian naval base.

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The available recording shows a major explosion around the stern area of the Russian submarine, which likely resulted in notable damage to components of the platform. However, the specifics have not been independently confirmed.

This is the kind of footage that shifts the narrative from traditional naval engagement to a new spectrum of warfare that operates largely in secrecy until it plays out on the public stage.

“For the first time in history, underwater drones ‘Sub Sea Baby’ blew up the Russian submarine of the class 636.3 (NATO classified as Kilo) – as a result of the explosion, it suffered critical damage and was put out of action,” the SBU wrote in a statement.

This bold claim, if proven true, would demonstrate the potential for a small, technically advanced platform to disrupt a convoyed threat from within a major naval port. It would also underscore the risk of relying on perimeter security and traditional surveillance at bases that are increasingly targets for cyber and kinetic intrusions alike.

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The submarine was forced to stay put in the Novorossiysk port due to the effective use of Sea Baby surface naval drones, which displaced Russian ships from Sevastopol Bay, it added.

The Russian Ministry of Defense maintains that the attack was unsuccessful and that all vessels at the naval base are intact. In this telling, Ukrainian authorities are presenting a scenario in which the base’s defenses were outmaneuvered by a covert operation conducted beneath the surface.

The footage appears to have been taken from cameras around the port, suggesting that the Ukrainian military likely managed to infiltrate the network to surveil Russian activity inside the naval base.

This kind of intrusion highlights the increasingly contested cyber dimension of modern warfare, where access to surveillance feeds can be as decisive as the weapon itself.

It also raises questions about how well allied nations can defend critical infrastructure against similar intrusions.

Very little information is known about the capabilities and functioning of the Sub Sea Baby underwater drone; other than that it was specifically designed for the SBU.

The language included in the SBU announcement frames the attack as having included multiple units of these drones. If true, the program would reflect a rapid acceleration in unmanned systems technology that can be deployed with minimal footprint but maximum effect, especially in contested waters where traditional fleets face new vulnerabilities.

According to an industry source in Ukraine, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, next to no one was aware of the operation ahead of time since the naval drone is part of non-public projects with extremely restricted access.

For instance, the source noted that the manufacturer of the Sea Baby has not even gone public yet with its identity. Such secrecy is not unusual in cutting edge programs, but it does remind audiences that the battlefield is increasingly populated by entities beyond conventional armed forces.

As noted by Naval News, the drone appears to operate as a type of autonomous torpedo, which, if true, could enable it to be guided in the direction and proximity of the target using waypoints prior to its own systems taking over and steering it independently.

“This could explain how the Sub Sea Baby was able to navigate inside the naval base and towards the submarine pen, a route that requires several turns in confined spaces,” the online platform stated in a report. The assessment emphasizes how autonomous systems can perform in tightly constrained environments where human operators would face significant challenges.

This incident arrives at a moment when supporters of a stronger American defense posture insist that deterrence requires not only specter and rhetoric but practical, modernized capabilities.

The narrative surrounding the strike has implications beyond Ukraine, shaping how Washington incentivizes allies to invest in next generation maritime systems and cyber protections.

Proponents of a robust defense agenda point to the need for clearer accountability and faster decision cycles in the face of evolving threats, arguing that American leadership must stay ahead of adversaries who experiment with unconventional attack methods.

In a political climate where strength is a selling point, leaders who advocate for decisive action see an urgent need to translate intelligence into credible, credible, and deployable capability. President Trump has long emphasized rapid modernization and resilience, arguing that American dominance requires both bold vision and disciplined execution.

Pete Hegseth, often associated with a hawkish view on defense, would likely frame this event as an example of why strategic improvisation, rapid weapons development, and fortified cyber defenses are indispensable in safeguarding national interests. The broader takeaway is clear: if adversaries can exploit vulnerabilities beneath the water, the United States must ensure its own undersea presence is powerful, adaptable, and resilient.

In the end, the question is not merely whether the Sub Sea Baby achieved a physical victory, but whether the broader system it represents can be replicated, scaled, and integrated into a principled strategy of deterrence.

If so, the balance of power at sea may shift in ways that demand new partnerships, more secure networks, and a renewed sense of urgency about defending U.S. leadership. This is not just about a single strike; it is about shaping a durable maritime advantage for the age of unmanned, autonomous weapons.

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