The Russian Black Sea Fleet has for the first time used a Kronstadt Orion attack drone to destroy a Ukrainian maritime drone. This was reported by the Russian Ministry of Defence on 1 February, and later analysed by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in their daily report.

According to Russian “military experts”, the attack drone was launched from a naval vessel, which may be the first documented case of the Russian navy using such drones.

Russia’s new tactics in the Black Sea

ISW experts suggest that this incident demonstrates Russia’s adaptation to Ukraine’s tactical changes.

“The Ukrainian military has already demonstrated the ability to shoot down Russian Mi-8 helicopters in the Black Sea using Magura V5 maritime strike drones. Therefore, the Black Sea Fleet’s strike on 1 February indicates that Russian forces are trying to develop a new method of fighting Ukrainian drones,” the ISW report said.

Russian military bloggers are calling on the Kremlin to increase production of X-UAV attack drones and missiles (TKB-1030), which they believe can effectively neutralise the threat posed by Ukrainian drones.

What does this mean for the war in the Black Sea?

Ukraine has already successfully used naval drones to attack Russian ships and aircraft. Magura V5 strike UAVs have shown the ability to shoot down Russian Mi-8 helicopters.

Russia is looking for new methods of defence and is starting to use attack drones from ships, which may indicate a lack of traditional means of fighting Ukrainian maritime UAVs.

The activity of drones in the Black Sea is increasing, which confirms the strategic importance of this region in the war.

The situation could escalate if both sides continue to develop unmanned technologies and improve their tactics.