First Naval Drone Duel Results in Ukrainian Success

Naval drones (USVs) have become increasingly prominent in the Russo-Ukrainian War since 2022, and in a world first, two naval drones have now engaged in combat. The Ukrainian Sargan-3000 USV sank a Russian USV, marking the first time in history that an uncrewed surface vessel has destroyed another USV in combat.

The engagement involved a Ukrainian Navy Sargan-3000 operating on intelligence from the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), which interdicted a Russian attack USV in the Black Sea and sank it. The Russian drone has been positively identified as an improved Orcan type, also called Zefir/Zephyr in some Russian sources. The Orcan is a relatively small explosive-attack drone similar in size and concept to Ukraine’s original Magura V3 and V5 types, with an internally mounted motor driving a jet-ski-style steerable water jet that makes it fast and agile.

The Orcan is typical of Russian USVs used against Ukrainian ports and naval vessels, a threat that is becoming more frequent. Several strikes have been reported, primarily on Odesa, and more have likely been foiled; several Ukrainian warships and naval vessels have been destroyed, though the Ukrainians retain the ship count and strategic initiative. Russia has based these USVs in northwestern Crimea, in Chornomors’ke, and at a new special base on Lake Donuzlav, the latter featuring dispersed revetments dug into the shoreline to protect the drones before launch. During attacks, Russian USVs work closely with deep-strike drones, particularly Geran (Shahed) types, which provide oversight and control; the aerial drones have trainable cameras and can act as repeaters to extend the range of the USVs’ mesh radios.

The Sargan-3000, also known as SeaWolf, is one of the main USV types associated with the Ukrainian Navy (VMS-ZSU). Built by Nordex, it is increasingly associated with Norwegian defense firm Kongsberg, whose remote weapon station was used in this case. The Sargan can also carry the Sea Dragon air-defense system, a FrankenSAM using Sidewinder or Soviet-era AA-11 Archer missiles, and another notable variant is equipped with extensive electromagnetic warfare (EW) equipment.

At MSPO 2026 in Poland, a SeaWolf/Sargan-3000 was displayed fitted with Kongsberg’s PROTECTOR RS4 Remote Weapon System. A Ukrainian Navy photograph also shows a Sargan-3000 armed with an RWS in the background behind an underwater drone.

The exact location of the fight has not been reported, but it was most likely in the northwestern Black Sea between Odesa and Crimea. The Orcan was likely armed with a ramming charge, while the Sargan-3000 was armed with a Kongsberg Protector RWS with a 12.7mm machine gun; the Ukrainian Navy USV used this to sink the Russian drone.