Kiev, Sept 14. (dpa/GNA) – A Ukrainian naval drone has sunk a Russian unmanned boat, in what Kiev says was the first-ever clash between two such vessels.
The Ukrainian Navy said on Saturday that reconnaissance had spotted a Russian unmanned vessel in an unspecified area of the Black Sea.
A Ukrainian naval drone was then deployed, manoeuvred close to the Russian vessel and opened fire with a heavy machine gun, sinking it, according to the Navy.
“This is the first naval battle in history between unmanned boats,” the Ukrainian Navy said on Telegram. It also released a video, showing gunfire and the destruction of a small vessel that could not be independently identified. Both Ukraine and Russia have developed unmanned boats in recent months for a range of purposes.
These include explosive-laden vessels used to attack ships, as well as naval drones equipped with weapons such as machine guns or missiles.
Ukraine also says it operates vessels capable of carrying short-range drones close to the Russian coast.
GNA