Ukraine’s River Drone Sneaks In, Lays Mines, and Wipes Out a Russian Gunboat, Video

Ukraine’s 40th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade of the 30th Marine Corps carried out a successful strike against a Russian riverboat using an unmanned surface vessel, according to a video published on the brigade’s Facebook page on December 23.

During the mission, the Barracuda river drone covertly penetrated the area near Russian positions without being detected.

At the initial stage of the operation, the drone deployed specially developed naval mines, allowing Ukrainian forces to establish control over the area. The Barracuda then conducted reconnaissance, identifying targets that posed a threat.

Operators subsequently carried out a precision strike, destroying a Russian riverboat equipped with a machine gun as well as a nearby logistics base. Both targets were confirmed destroyed.

The Barracuda’s modular design allows it to be fitted with different types of weaponry, and the system is also reported to incorporate “elements of artificial intelligence,” according to Ukrainian forces.

It is also believed that the unmanned vessel may be capable of performing logistics missions, including delivering supplies to islands along the Dnipro River, Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi wrote.

Earlier, Ukrainian paratroopers from the 81st Separate Slobozhanska Airborne Brigade destroyed a Russian boat during an attempted river crossing over the Siverskyi Donets.

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