Fire after a Ukrainian attack in the port of Novorossiysk (archive photo): Ukraine has repeatedly attacked the important Russian oil trading center.Image: Telegram
The Russian Black Sea Fleet is under increasing pressure. Now satellite images show a remarkable protective measure on several submarines.
Jul 7, 2026, 1:24 amJul 7, 2026, 1:24 am
Julian Seiferth / t-online
According to the British Ministry of Defense, Russia has equipped several submarines at the Novorossiysk naval base on the Black Sea with so-called anti-drone cages. Satellite images from June 6th to 9th are said to show corresponding lattice constructions on the conning towers of three Kilo-class submarines. A fourth boat will “almost certainly” also be equipped accordingly, the ministry said.
London assesses the measure as a response to Ukraine’s growing ability to use drones to attack targets far behind the front. Accordingly, the protective devices would “almost certainly be installed as a preventive measure”.
Russia is trying to protect submarines from underwater drones
The port of Novorossiysk has become increasingly important for the Russian Black Sea Fleet in recent years. After Ukrainian attacks put the Sevastopol naval base on the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula under increasing pressure, Moscow moved some of its ships to the Russian mainland port.
Ukraine says it has carried out repeated attacks on Novorossiysk, including with unmanned surface drones. Russia has already responded to this with barriers in the port. According to the British assessment, the lattice constructions now being observed are intended to further increase the protection of submarines.
Such protective grilles have been widely used on tanks and other armored vehicles since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression to make drone attacks more difficult. On submarines, however, they are considered unusual. The Russian Defense Ministry initially did not comment on the British intelligence assessment.