Ukrainian security forces test new naval drone “Avdiivka”

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has showcased the first naval drone, "Sea Baby," manufactured through a large-scale volunteer campaign, Rubryka reports, citing the statement.

According to law enforcement officials, the first model presented in this batch during testing was named "Avdiivka," after the Ukrainian front-line city, which resiliently resisted the Russian onslaught but was recently captured.

Like every model of naval drone, "Avdiivka" will undergo a full cycle of sea trials. During the process, the SBU development team will adapt the latest onboard weaponry specially designed and manufactured for use on multi-purpose platforms like the Sea Baby.

"It differs from the previous generation, including its appearance. The Sea Baby 2024 model is a next-generation drone that is improved and even more lethal for the enemy," said the Security Service.

In turn, SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk stressed that technological approaches are the future of warfare.

"The SBU is striving to be at the forefront, and we are successfully doing so. Within the service ranks, we have trained unique naval drone specialists to continue improving and scaling up the work to clear the Black Sea of the enemy. Our task is to destroy the occupiers and bring Victory closer," said the security agency chief.

According to the Ukrainian brigadier general with a callsign "Hunter," the new Sea Baby 2024 boasts improved technical characteristics, greater combat capability, and enhanced maneuverability.

It can deliver nearly a ton of explosives over a distance of more than a thousand kilometers. The SBU envisioned this drone as a universal platform on which they could mount various weapons.

About Sea Baby

The previous models of Sea Baby helped SBU hit many Russian ships: the "Samum" missile carrier, the "Pavel Derzhavin" missile carrier, the SIG tanker, the "Olenegorsky Gornyak" landing ship, the "Nikolay Mur" tugboat, and the latest reconnaissance and hydrographic ship "Vladimir Kozitsky."

On December 26, 2023, Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked the "Novocherkassk" landing ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the area of Feodosia.

Also, Ukrainian intelligence agents destroyed the  "Ivanovets" missile boat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet on the night of February 1. Its cost is estimated at around $60-70 million.

Using the Sea Baby, the SBU blew up the Crimean Bridge, "which is impossible to destroy," according to Russian authorities. 

Fundraising for 35 maritime drones was organized by the UNITED24 platform in collaboration with monobank and volunteers. Nearly 300 million hryvnias were raised in record time thanks to Ukrainian businesses, international donors, and Ukrainian citizens.