Why can’t the war be won with drones alone, and what role do assault units play in modern warfare? How…
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has presented a new generation of its legendary Sea Baby naval drones, now equipped with 10-round Grad multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and capable of carrying up to 2,000 kilograms of payload over a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers.
This was reported on the official page of the Security Service of Ukraine.
TESTED IN COMBAT
The new unmanned vehicles have already been tested in real combat operations in the Black Sea — including during the third strike on the Crimean Bridge, which took place on June 3, 2025.
“Our drones have changed the balance of power in the Black Sea and proved their effectiveness. The new generation of Sea Baby is even more powerful”, — emphasized SSU Head Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, adding that “the enemy will feel the full force of our technological developments”.
According to SSU Brigadier General Ivan Lukashevych (callsign Hunter), who heads the 13th Main Directorate of the SSU’s Counterintelligence Department (DVKR), it was precisely these naval drones that delivered the explosives to the bridge’s supports during the operation to strike the Crimean Bridge.
The new Sea Baby modifications were created using funds raised by Ukrainians through the UNITED24 fundraising platform.
NEW ARMAMENT
The SSU development team showcased two different drone variants:
- The first — equipped with a gyro-stabilized machine gun mount featuring an automatic target-locking and recognition system;
- The second — armed with heavy weaponry: a ten-round Grad multiple launch rocket system.
The upgraded drones have received powerful engines, modern navigation systems, and increased range and payload capacity, making them universal tools for a new type of naval warfare.
“The SSU is the driving force behind a new approach to waging war at sea. The task set by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to neutralize Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. We are actively working on this”, — stressed Ivan Lukashevych.
The SSU reminded that the mass use of unmanned naval platforms has already forced Russia to relocate most of its ships to Novorossiysk and made it possible to restore the operation of the ‘grain corridor’.
