First-Ever Naval Drone Battle: Ukrainian Sargan Destroys Russian USV

During the first-ever naval drone engagement, the Ukrainian Sargan-3000 destroyed a Russian uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with machine-gun fire.

The Ukrainian Navy released the video of the operation.

According to the report, the operation was conducted in coordination with the Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine. Units of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine detected the target, after which a Ukrainian Navy uncrewed surface vessel equipped with a Protector remote weapon station armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun destroyed it in the first-ever naval drone engagement.

According to the published footage, the Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessel (USV) opened fire on the target from a distance of approximately 1 km. Despite the Russian uncrewed surface vessel’s attempts to escape, Ukrainian forces managed to disable it and subsequently engage it at point-blank range.

Notably, the Sargan-3000 operator selected the radio communications antennas as one of the first targets, apparently to prevent the USV from being remotely controlled. As a result of the engagement, the Russian uncrewed surface vessel sustained multiple hits and sank.

The location and circumstances of the incident have not been disclosed. However, the Russians were likely planning to use their uncrewed surface vessel to attack the ports of Greater Odesa or merchant vessels traveling to or from Ukraine.

The Sargan-3000 is a Ukrainian multipurpose naval unmanned strike system that was officially adopted into service with the Ukrainian Navy in April 2026.

The uncrewed surface vessel has an operational range of up to 1,600 km, can reach speeds of 40–55 knots, and can carry up to 450 kg of payload.

In July, Ukrainian naval personnel sank the Project 22460 Izumrud second-rank border patrol ship near Novorossiysk using a Sargan-3000 uncrewed naval system.