Watch: Dramatic footage shows Ukrainian surface drones destroying Russian warship
Dramatic footage has been released online apparently showing a special unit of the Ukrainian armed forces destroying a Russian vessel by repeatedly striking the hull with unmanned kamikaze naval drones.
According to a defence intelligence update from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, a special unit known as Group 13 destroyed the missile corvette Ivanovets, which belonged to Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Western officials later confirmed the sinking.
The vessel, which Ukraine says was worth up to £53m, was patrolling near Lake Donuzlav near occupied Crimea when it came under attack by multiple Ukrainian unmanned vessels, each exploding on impact.
The Ukrainian MOD said: "On the night of January 31 to February 1, 2024, soldiers of the Group 13 special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine destroyed the Ivanovets missile ship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.
"The operation was made possible with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the United24 platform.
"The enemy vessel was patrolling the Black Sea near Lake Donuzlav near the occupied Crimea.
"As a result of a series of direct hits to the hull, the Russian ship suffered damage incompatible with further movement - the Ivanovets heeled stern and sank."
The footage shows the uncrewed drones moving toward the vessel at night while evading enemy fire that can be seen hitting the water around them.
Upon impact each naval drone detonates and the explosion is captured on camera by the drone carrying out the subsequent attack.
The Russian ship was struck repeatedly during the incident and the footage clearly shows the vessel beginning to roll to one side before sinking stern-first.
Ukraine has been building up its stocks of drones thanks to its United24 programme.
This is a fundraising platform launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to collect donations to develop and amass "an army of drones".
The programme states: "Our first task is to assemble a fleet of 100 such vessels.
"They will defend the waters of our seas, stop Russian ships carrying missiles from leaving the bay, protect merchant ships and perform secret missions.
"Drones can participate in long-range maritime reconnaissance and coastal surveillance, escorting and supporting the traditional fleet, convoying merchant ships, zoning in artillery fire, defending our bases and countering amphibious operations."
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