Upgraded sea drones allow Ukraine to strike anywhere in the Black Sea VIDEO

Ukraine’s state security service (SBU) has unveiled a next-generation version of its “Sea Baby” naval drone, saying the upgraded model can now operate across the entire Black Sea, carry heavier payloads, and use artificial intelligence (AI) for precision targeting.

The range of the “Sea Baby” has been increased from 1,000 kilometres to 1,500 kilometres, with the ability to carry up to 2,000 kilograms of explosives or equipment, according to the SBU's press release.

The drones have already played a central role in Ukraine’s campaign against Russian naval assets and infrastructure in the Black Sea — most notably during the June 3 strike on the Crimean bridge, the third such attack since 2022 on the structure Russia illegally built following its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

During previous operations, the Sea Baby drones were used to deliver explosives to targeted sites, damaging the bridge’s underwater supports.

At a demonstration of the new naval drone on October 17, 2025, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, officials displayed several variants, including one fitted with a multiple-rocket launcher and another equipped with a stabilised machine-gun turret.

“Our drones have changed the balance of power in the Black Sea and proven their effectiveness. The new generation of Sea Baby drones is even more effective,” SBU Chief Vasyl Malyuk said, as cited by Ukrainian media outlets.

“Therefore, the work to clear the Black Sea of the Russian fleet will continue. The enemy will feel the full force of our technological developments.”

SBU Brigadier General Ivan Lukashevych said the latest versions are equipped with AI-assisted friend-or-foe targeting systems, as well as the ability to launch small aerial drones and employ multilayered self-destruct mechanisms to prevent capture.

According to the SBU, the new modifications of the Sea Baby were built with funds raised by Ukrainians on the fundraising platform UNITED24.

Ever-evolving application of drones

Since launching the world’s first dedicated naval drone fleet in September 2022, Ukraine has revolutionised maritime warfare, successfully destroying or disabling nearly a dozen Russian vessels.

Drone attacks have targeted 11 Russian ships, including frigates and missile carriers, forcing Moscow to relocate much of its Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, according to the SBU.

“The SBU became the first in the world to pioneer this new kind of naval warfare — and we continue to advance it,” Lukashevych said, adding that the “Sea Baby” has evolved “from a single-use strike craft into a reusable, multi-purpose platform that expands Ukraine’s offensive options.”

Meanwhile, Russia has begun adapting to Ukraine’s tactics. Following a series of devastating Ukrainian strikes, the Russian Navy has started forming specialised regiments for unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, according to a report by Russian media publication Izvestia, signalling a broader shift toward drone-based naval warfare.

By Nazrin Sadigova