Ukraine's growing fleet of naval drones has conducted another successful operation, this time deep inside the maze-like wetlands of the Dnipro River. According to the 40th Coastal Defense Brigade, Ukrainian Barracuda unmanned surface vessel carried out a combat mission and struck russian logistical base on the temporarily occupied left bank. The site had been used by russian forces to store and deploy small boats that support troop movements, supply lines, and rapid river crossings.
The operation highlights Ukraine's continued shift toward asymmetric maritime warfare, where low-cost, remotely operated craft can deliver precision strikes against russian positions and infrastructure. Navigating through the complex network of channels and reeds in the Dnipro River's floodplains is a challenge even for manned boats, yet the Barracuda drone managed to reach its target undetected.
Read more: Ryazan Oil Refinery Rocked by Another Ukrainian Strike
Once inside the enemy-controlled zone, the drone identified the concentration point for russian vessels and moved in to execute the strike. The Brigade confirmed that the drone successfully hit the objective, disrupting a logistical node that had played a key role in supplying russian units operating along the river's left bank.
Ukrainian forces have increasingly relied on unmanned surface drones to compensate for russian dominance in traditional naval assets. These drones, often maneuvering at high speed and providing real-time video feeds, allow operators to hit targets that would be too risky or costly to approach with conventional means. The Barracuda platform, in particular, has shown strong performance in shallow waters and narrow channels where larger naval drones cannot operate.
In a statement accompanying the released video, the Brigade stressed that Ukrainian maritime drones continue to deny the occupiers any sense of security.
"Ukrainian Barracuda drone leaves the enemy no place to feel safe," reads the report.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukraine's Primary special unit of the Defense Intelligence has carried out another high-precision strike against russian forces in temporarily occupied Crimea, destroying russian Ka-27 naval helicopter along with several high-value air defense and radar assets. The successful operation represents a significant blow to russia's aerial surveillance and coastal defense capabilities on the peninsula.
Read more: Ukrainian Strike Takes Out russian Ka-27 Helicopter, Nebo-SV, Lira-A10 Radars and More in Crimea (Video)
