Satellite images now show the aftermath of yesterday’s Ukrainian attack on the Russian navy Improved kilogram A diesel-electric submarine anchored in the Black Sea naval base of Novorossiysk. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claims that this is the first time an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) has been used to attack a Russian ship. The operation may also mark the first successful use of an unmanned underwater vehicle as an anti-ship weapon in history, although the actual extent of damage caused to the submarine remains unclear. Readers can first get the latest information on the attack in our preliminary report.
TWZ Satellite images of the site of the Novorossiysk attack were obtained from Vantor (formerly Maxar Technologies). Other images from Planet Labs are also circulating online.
Satellite images confirmed that the unmanned underwater vehicle – named “Undersea Baby” by the SBU, which is a previously unknown type – detonated at the rear of the submarine at the Novorossiysk port dock. A large part of the dock itself was destroyed in the attack. This all matches up with video footage taken from a nearby ground location during the attack and released yesterday by the SBU.
Satellite image after the attack, outlining the target submarine inside the harbor and another submarine anchored outside. Other ships were anchored nearby. Satellite image © 2025 Vantor
Images after the attack show Improved kilogram -class submarine, also known as Project 636.3 varshavyanka Occupational type, same position as before attack. Two other submarines moored nearby at the time of the attack had moved. Other submarines and ships remained at moorings, including on the outer edge of the damaged pier.
Some images now obtained suggest that the submarine under attack may now be lower underwater, but this cannot be easily confirmed. Any damage below the waterline will also not be visible in the image. At the same time, there are no clear signs that any emergency measures have been taken to keep it afloat, or to contain leaks of oil or other potentially hazardous liquids, as one might expect to see if the damage was serious.
Taking a close look at the submarine attacked by the SBU and the surrounding area, the damage to the pier is also clearly visible. Satellite image © 2025 Vantor
Image from December 11, 2025, showing the same area before the attack. Satellite image © 2025 Vantor
Based on estimates of the submarine’s visible length, some observers noted that the center of the explosion was less than 65 feet from the stern. The dimensions and configuration of the Baby Warhead, as well as other details about the UUV and its capabilities, remain scarce.
Satellite images show the aftermath of the Sea Baby underwater drone attack on the submarine dock in the port of Novorossiysk.
According to the images, the attack occurred approximately 20 meters from the stern of the Type 636 Varshavyanka-class submarine, which remains… https://t.co/SVecegvkeD pic.twitter.com/fxOicR5AAW
— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) December 16, 2025
It is worth noting that the stern part of the Kilo-class submarine is still submerged underwater, so it is speculated that its water depth is not even 20 meters.
It is likely that at least the propelled end was affected in a kinetic manner.
(The satellite image I used is not recent and is for illustrative purposes… https://t.co/fwO0UldAZs pic.twitter.com/qxNHs2AEQf
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) December 16, 2025
It is also worth noting that a wider view of the port of Novorossiysk after the attack showed four Type 636 submarines still present. There is no clear evidence that the target ship may have been replaced by another ship to conceal the extent of the damage.
Satellites show that four Kilo-class submarines are docked in the Russian port of Novorossiysk. One of the ships appears to have a slightly different waterline compared to the other three. Ukraine claims its underwater UV rays launched attacks on region via Mizarvision #OSSINTELLIGENCE pic.twitter.com/k1DLtOcloL
— Geospatial Intelligence (@lobsterlarryliu) December 16, 2025
The Russian Defense Ministry unsurprisingly denied any damage to the submarine or anyone in the port. The ministry released a video it claimed showed the undamaged ship but did not provide a view of the stern. Backgrounds are also scrutinized. Even so, it still revealed a pile of broken concrete debris left on the dock after the explosion, which is clearly visible in the SBU’s video of the attack as well as in satellite imagery now available.
The press service of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which operates the submarine, also denied any damage to its vessel. This is also consistent with reports from various monitoring channels of the Russian Navy on social media, but no clear supporting evidence has yet emerged.
Overall, at this stage we still cannot determine with any authority what extent, if any, damage the submarine actually suffered.
On the other hand, the attack did demonstrate that Ukraine could at least sneak an unmanned underwater vehicle into a heavily guarded port during daylight hours and detonate its warhead just a few dozen feet away from a prized Russian sub worth an estimated $400 million.
Therefore, at least one Ukrainian unmanned underwater vehicle was able to penetrate the barrier set up at the port entrance specifically to protect ships in the port. It is worth noting, however, that the defensive barriers Russia has erected around ports are primarily in response to Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV) operations. This underscores the importance of the use of unmanned underwater vehicles in this attack, another example of the ongoing adaptation of weapons systems and tactics in response to countermeasures that has become a particular hallmark of the conflict in Ukraine.
A roadblock at the entrance to the Novorossiysk naval base after the attack. Satellite image © 2025 Vantor
The same area before the attack on December 11, 2025. Satellite image © 2025 Vantor
With this in mind, Russia may launch new countermeasures against this particular attack method, which Ukraine has already spent some time developing.
The outcome of yesterday’s attack, while currently inconclusive, may further spur such developments in Ukraine. Before the SBU targeted Novorossiysk’s submarines, Ukraine launched an unmanned underwater vehicle called the Marichka, designed to launch kamikaze attacks on ships and maritime infrastructure. At least one other Ukrainian unmanned underwater vehicle, named “Toloka”, has been disclosed before. It’s unclear whether any of them have anything to do with the undersea treasure.
Toloka UUV Video:
Furthermore, the attack confirmed that the Black Sea Fleet remains Ukraine’s main target. This applies especially to submarines like the Type 636 and frigates capable of launching Kalibr long-range cruise missiles. These weapons are frequently used in Russian nighttime attacks against targets across Ukraine.
The Ukrainian navy’s actions have forced the Black Sea Fleet to withdraw from its bases on the occupied Crimean peninsula to Novorossiysk. Crimean attacks also prosecuted Improved kilogram class submarine. September 2023, rostov-on-don Severely damaged in a combined missile and drone attack on Sevastopol. Ukraine later claimed it had been destroyed.
Photos show damage Improved kilogram Sevastopol-class submarine, apparently first released by the Conflict Intelligence Group. Corporate income tax via X
At the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a total of six Type 636 submarines were available to the Black Sea Fleet.
Other navies around the world may have watched yesterday’s attack with interest.
In addition to the United States, China and many other countries are developing their own unmanned underwater vehicles for such missions.
UUVs are capable of attacking ships and other targets at long range, and can be launched from submarines and motherships, further extending their range. Among other tasks, they can be used for surveillance and minelaying. You can read more about these ships TWZ Here’s the story.
Ultimately, regardless of whether the Russian submarine was damaged or not, the attack once again showed that the war in Ukraine is a severe test for the development of new military technology, especially unmanned technology.
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
