Russia Installs Barge Barrier at Novorossiysk Naval Base After Submarine Drone Strike

Russian forces have installed barges at the entrance to the submarine moorings at their naval base in Novorossiysk, forming a protective barrier directly within the waters of the base to complicate the approach of Ukrainian surface and underwater drones, according to Militarnyi on December 23. 

The outlet reported that Russian forces began forming a protective barrier directly within the waters of the naval base in Novorossiysk almost immediately after the Sub Sea Baby underwater drone attack that became known on December 15.

Satellite imagery and monitoring updates cited by Russian open source media showed the entrance reinforced with barges and boom-style barriers after the reported submarine drone attack, steps aimed at hindering Ukrainian surface and underwater drones while limiting the rapid departure of Russian vessels from the harbor.

The additional barriers followed Ukraine’s Security Service’s strike on December 15 Russian Project 636.3 Varshavyanka-class submarine at Novorossiysk using “Sub Sea Baby” underwater drones, which caused critical damage to the submarine, putting it effectively out of action.

Earlier, it was reported that Russian forces sealed off the entrance to the Novorossiysk naval harbor with barges and boom barriers after a Ukrainian SBU underwater drone strike damaged a Kilo‑class submarine, limiting drone access but also trapping Russian vessels inside the base

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