Forbes: New Ukrainian giant submarine threatens Russian infrastructure PHOTO / VIDEO

The new Ukrainian submarine Toloka (TLK-1000) may represent a significant threat to Russia’s infrastructure, including the Kerch Bridge and offshore platforms in the Black Sea.

Ukraine has established itself as a leader in the use of combat drones, ranging from small FPV drones to larger “bomber” types, which have inflicted substantial losses on Russian forces, per the report by Forbes.

The next step, therefore, has been expansion into the underwater domain. The TLK-1000 is reportedly an addition to a series that already includes the TLK-150 and TLK-400—compact “smart torpedoes” and autonomous underwater vehicles.

Based on available specifications:

• TLK-150 – a “smart torpedo” with an electric engine and a warhead of approximately 15–50 kg, with a range of up to 60 miles;

• TLK-400 – an underwater drone about 40 feet long, capable of operating autonomously for up to two months, with a range of around 800 miles and a payload capacity of up to 1,000 lbs;

• TLK-1000 – the flagship of the series, with a payload of up to 5 tons, capable of operating at significant depths and over long distances.

Manufacturers emphasise the use of artificial intelligence for navigation and autonomous decision-making, although details of testing and system limitations have not been publicly disclosed.

The Kerch Bridge, which links Russia with occupied Crimea, is a major strategic and symbolic target. Ukraine has attacked it before. In October 2022, a truck bomb detonated on the bridge, damaging three spans; repairs were completed in May 2023. In August 2023, a robot boat ran into one of the bridge supports with over 1,700 pounds of explosives, but failed to bring it down. This June, an underwater explosion, this time over 2,200 pounds of explosives, again failed to bring down a support.

By Khagan Isayev