Russia expands defenses against Ukrainian drone strikes

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is expanding in scope, with Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) increasingly targeting Russian territory deep behind the lines. Recent strikes have reached Moscow, Crimea, and even distant regions such as Omsk in Siberia and Syzran on the Volga River, demonstrating the ability to launch attacks from hundreds of kilometers away.

In response to the growing threat of drone warfare, Russia is implementing new defensive measures for its naval assets. High-resolution satellite imagery released by the UK Ministry of Defence reveals that Russia is utilizing large anti-UAV netting structures to protect its Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines at the Novorossiysk naval base. These submarines are frequently used to launch Kalibr cruise missiles at targets in Ukraine.

In addition to physical netting, Russia has begun a tactic in 2024 of keeping submarines partially submerged while moored. This method keeps much of the hull underwater to mitigate the impact of potential explosions from surface-level drone strikes, while leaving the command tower exposed for crew access and shore-based connectivity.