Ukraine Says Sargan-3000 Drone Boat Sank Russian Naval Drone in First Such Black Sea Encounter

TechRadar reported that the Ukrainian craft used a Protector RWS turret to destroy the Russian vessel. The Protector RWS is a modular system that can mount machine guns, grenade launchers and anti-tank missiles. In the encounter, a remote-controlled 12.7mm machine gun turret, possibly an M2 Browning or an NSV, was used, according to the report.

The Sargan-3000 entered active service in April 2026 and was described as a multi-purpose platform, a term that typically indicates a design able to carry mission-specific modules for weapons or sensors. It has been described as highly maneuverable, though its physical characteristics are not known. Since commissioning, the craft appears to have been used in a wide variety of missions.

The reported engagement follows increased Ukrainian seaborne drone activity. During 2026, Ukraine expanded maritime drone operations in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, with 105 Russian vessels known to have been attacked in the Sea of Azov, according to TechRadar. The report said the Russian vessel in the latest incident was identified by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, which cleared the Ukrainian Navy unmanned craft to engage.

Ukraine has other uncrewed sea vessels. The Sea Baby, used by the Security Service of Ukraine, is a 6-meter boat believed to have a 1,000 km range and a payload of around 850 kg. It is believed to be used primarily against moored or anchored targets, suggesting it can be deployed quickly. The Magura V5, under the Defence Intelligence group, is shorter, carries a lighter payload and cannot manage the same range as the Sea Baby, but has a similar role.

In an earlier incident in July 2026, a similar Ukrainian vessel remotely sank a Russian craft in the Black Sea, TechRadar reported. That incident took place off Gelendzhik, where the Russian border patrol ship PSKR Izumrud was a casualty of a strategy that has seen Ukraine force Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to retreat from Crimea.

The latest claim remains unverified. Ukraine has not said when or where the encounter occurred, and Russia has declined to confirm whether it took place or whether it lost a drone boat. The lack of confirmation leaves the account resting on the Ukrainian navy’s claim as reported by TechRadar.

Editor's Summary Ukraine’s navy claims its Sargan-3000 uncrewed boat destroyed a Russian drone vessel in the Black Sea using a Protector RWS turret, in what is described as the first recorded seaborne drone battle. The claim remains unverified, and Russia has not confirmed the exchange or any loss. The report follows expanded Ukrainian maritime drone operations in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.