GUR Attacks Kalibr carrier in the Black Sea: How will it affect the Russian Navy?
29 August 15:55
The GUR attacked a Russian missile ship in the Sea of Azov near the temporarily occupied Crimea. The target was a small missile ship of Project 21631 “Buyan-M”, which is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles. The drone strike damaged the ship’s onboard systems and radar. The ship, which was in the Temryutsky Bay ready to launch missiles, was damaged and had to leave the combat duty zone.
Thus, the unique operation with aerial drones disrupted another massive Russian cruise missile attack on Ukraine. One of the Russian missile ships was severely damaged, which could put it out of commission for a long time.
The ship was struck at the moment of preparation for a massive shelling
The operation was carried out near the temporarily occupied Crimea, in the area of the Temryutsky Bay, just as Russia was preparing one of its largest shelling of Ukraine.
“The strike itself was carried out at the time of one of the most massive shelling of Ukraine – with the use of Shaheds, decoy drones, X-101, 9M723 and Kinzhal missiles,” said Oleksandr Kovalenko, military and political observer of the Information Resistance group.
Although the Kalibr missile carriers were in the Black Sea ready to launch, the launches never took place. The Ukrainian strike was a precautionary step – the ship was attacked before the launch.
“There were two carriers with 16 missiles. But the launches did not take place because Ukraine struck preemptively – for the first time with aerial drones,” Kovalenko explains.
Unlike sea drones, air drones proved to be faster and more effective in achieving their goals. According to the expert, maritime drones were used mainly as platforms.
Radar damage: the ship is out of commission
One of the drones hit the ship’s radar system, which is the most difficult piece of military equipment to repair.
“The first drone hit the radar – it is not a gun or a launcher. The locator is the most difficult element to manufacture and repair. Due to the shortage of electronic equipment in Russia, it may take months or even years to repair,” the observer emphasized.
According to Kovalenko, although the ship is not sunk, its combat capabilities have been effectively lost.
The strike on the first carrier forced the second Russian ship to leave the combat zone and return to Novorossiysk.
“Both ships failed to launch. One was damaged, the other was ordered to withdraw. Thus, another act of terror was thwarted. This really saved the lives of Ukrainians,” Kovalenko summarized.
Thus, the DIU’s operation using aerial drones against the Kalibr carrier demonstrates a qualitative breakthrough in the tactics of countering Russian missile terror. While previously Ukrainian forces had to react after the strikes had been launched, this time they managed to prevent the attack at the preparation stage.
This was a preemptive strike that not only minimized the consequences, but prevented them altogether. Such operations can become a key tool in protecting civilians and critical infrastructure, changing the course of the war not only at the front but also in the airspace.
Until now, the Black and Azov Seas have remained a zone of relative safety for Russia, as Kalibr carriers have been entering the missile launch zone with impunity.
But the GUR strike proved that this “maritime impunity” is an illusion. Aerial drones, which can quickly and efficiently hit targets on the water, are becoming a new challenge for the Russian Navy.
The loss of even partial combat capability of a ship, and even at the moment of readiness for launch, is not only a military defeat, but also a serious blow to the image of Russia as a maritime power. In the future, the Russian Navy will have to act more cautiously, which will limit its effectiveness and mobility.
