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The Ukrainian Navy announced that it had destroyed a Russian unmanned surface vehicle in the Black Sea using an armed Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessel. According to the Navy, the operation was conducted jointly by the Ukrainian Navy and the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (DIU). First, Ukrainian intelligence officers detected the Russian maritime drone, and then a Sargan-3000 uncrewed vessel was deployed to intercept it.
“The Ukrainian Navy, in cooperation with the Main Intelligence Directorate, carried out a successful operation in the Black Sea and destroyed a Russian unmanned surface vessel. The target was detected by DIU units. The Navy’s Sargan 3000 unmanned surface vessel, equipped with a 12.7 mm “Protector” RWS 12.7 mm, successfully destroyed it,” the Ukrainian Navy stated on its official Facebook page, adding that this was the first-ever naval battle between unmanned vessels.
According to a video released by the Ukrainian Navy, the Sargan-3000 opened fire on the Russian maritime drone from a distance of approximately 1 km. The unmanned surface vehicle attempted to retreat but eventually lost the ability to move and was destroyed. The video shows that at the start of the engagement, the Sargan operator was aiming at the vessel’s communication antennas.
The Russian unmanned vessel sustained numerous hits before sinking. The Ukrainian Navy did not disclose the exact location of the encounter or provide details about the Russian vessel’s mission.
Read also: Ukrainian Drones Strike Kalibr Carriers: What New Images of the Novorossiysk Base Reveal
The Sargan-3000 is a Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface vessel that was officially adopted by the Ukrainian Navy in April 2026. According to publicly available specifications cited by Ukrainian media, the vessel has a range of up to 1,600 km, can reach speeds of approximately 40 to 55 knots, and can carry a payload weighing up to 450 kg.
As a reminder, in July 2026, the Ukrainian Navy stated that the Sargan-3000 unmanned surface vessel sank the Russian FSB patrol ship “Izumrud” near Novorossiysk. The vessel had participated in Russia’s attack on Ukrainian Navy boats in the Kerch Strait in 2018.