Russian submarine attacked by Ukrainian drones in Novorossiysk in December has not moved since

Partially blurred footage of the submarine shared by Zvezda following the drone attack in Novorossiysk. Screenshot: Zvezda (@zvezdanews / Telegram)

A Russian submarine that was attacked by Ukrainian Sub Sea Baby underwater drones in the port of Novorossiysk on Dec. 15 has not moved since, according to a report by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which compared satellite images from Dec. 24 and Jan. 19.

The Jan. 19 image shows the submarine in the same position as on the day of the strike. The images also show signs of repairs to the pier, which was also damaged in the explosion.

On Dec. 16, the day after the attack, the television channel of the Russian Defense Ministry, Zvezda, published video footage of the submarine while claiming the vessel had not sustained any damage. “None of the ships or submarines of the Black Sea Fleet stationed in the bay of the Novorossiysk naval base, nor their crews, were damaged as a result of the sabotage and are continuing to serve as usual,” commented Black Sea Fleet spokesman Alexei Rulev. However, the footage aired by Zvezda did not show the submarine’s keel — the part closest to the blast.

The name of the submarine that was struck on Dec. 15 has not been officially confirmed. A statement by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) indicated that it was a Varshavyanka (or Kilo) class submarine. Frederik Van Lokeren, a former Belgian navy officer and military analyst, wrote that it was most likely the Alrosa, “a modified Kilo having a pumpjet instead of the regular screw” — meaning a waterjet propulsion system rather than a traditional propeller.

The SBU said the submarine sustained critical damage and was effectively put out of action. The vessel is equipped with four launchers for Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia uses to strike targets in Ukraine.

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