Ukraine Reports First Drone-Boat Battle as Navy USV Destroys Russian Explosive Vessel

Ukraine says a Ukrainian Navy drone boat used a remotely controlled machine-gun turret to destroy a Russian explosive drone boat in what has been described as the world’s first unmanned surface vessel (USV) versus USV engagement. The incident highlights the expanding use of autonomous and remotely operated systems in the war in Ukraine, including sea drones, attack-drone swarms, and ground robots.

Ukrainian drone boat intercepts Russian sea drone

The confrontation began on September 12, when members of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Service spotted a Russian unmanned surface vessel in the Black Sea. They directed a Ukrainian Navy drone boat to intercept it.

The Russian vessel was identified as an Orkan water drone, according to the report. The explosive drone is equipped with a jet-ski-style steerable water jet and is designed to ram a target before detonating. Naval analyst H. I. Sutton discussed the incident with Naval News.

Orkan drones have previously been used to attack Ukrainian ports and ships. Sutton explained that these vessels can operate alongside aerial drones, including Russia’s Geland drones, which can provide reconnaissance and help maintain communications between the drone operator and the boat.

Sargun-3000 attacks with remotely controlled machine gun

During the encounter, the Russian drone boat was intercepted by a Ukrainian Sargun-3000 equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun. The weapon was mounted on a remote weapons station manufactured by Norwegian defense company Kongsberg.

“It was inevitable that USV-USV combat would occur,” Sutton told New Scientist. “We’ve seen the same thing in the air and on the ground.”

Video released by the Ukrainian Navy reportedly shows a Sargun-3000 firing on the Russian drone from a distance of about one kilometer. The attack disabled the Russian vessel’s communications antenna before further gunfire caused it to sink, according to Ukraine’s government media platform United24.

Naval warfare enters a new drone era

The reported clash shows how maritime drones are no longer limited to attacking conventional ships and coastal targets. As both sides deploy unmanned vessels in the Black Sea, future naval engagements may increasingly involve drone boats hunting, intercepting, and destroying one another.