Budanov: Russia destroys 60-70% of Ukrainian naval drones
24.08.2023 - 15:00
Despite the fact that Russia destroys about 60-70% of Ukrainian naval drones, they remain an effective weapon.
Maritime kamikaze drones, which Ukraine uses to attack objects near the occupied Crimea, are an effective weapon, said the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with “Krym.Realiya”.
He refused to name the number of drones used by Ukraine or the tasks they perform.
“For obvious reasons, it is impossible to say how many of these drones there are. But as you can see our cuts, those made by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, what the SBU publishes, just count how much it should be plus or minus. Let’s put it this way: it’s a lot. It’s actually a lot. How effectively does it all work? Since there are real losses, and the price of such a drone and the price of a warship are incomparable, it can be said that this is a rather effective method. But, of course, they destroy 60%, maybe even 70%. It’s true. There is nothing to hide here, as they say. However, the problem for them is those 30%,” commented Budanov.
He said that there are cases when a drone is destroyed next to a Russian ship, and then the latter is sent “for long-term repairs.”
For example, the Russians destroyed one of the naval drones when it was approaching the Admiral Essen frigate in the waters of the Sevastopol Bay. It may seem that the Ukrainian attack was unsuccessful, but the blast wave (the drone was destroyed approximately 100 m from the ship) and debris completely damaged the ship’s radio-electronic equipment, electronics, antennas, hydroacoustic system, etc. So, the ship was sent to the dock for repairs, where it stood for 3.5 months.
Budanov noted that naval drones are an effective weapon for deterrence, but not for offensive purposes. He also shared that Ukraine has already mastered the serial production of such drones.
Previously, USM reported that a joint special operation of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine with the support of the Naval Forces took place in the occupied Crimea.
Special units on watercraft landed on the shore in the area of Olenivka and Mayak settlements
