Russia relocated much of its Black Sea Fleet from Crimea to ports inside Russia after Ukrainian air- and sea-launched drones, along with HIMARS strikes, destroyed multiple vessels, including a submarine.
Believing their ships were now out of range, Russia moved them farther east. In response, Ukraine developed an underwater (submarine) drone. A Kilo-class submarine was subsequently destroyed while in port, despite being submerged.
Video evidence clearly shows that Ukraine could have struck any vessel in the harbor. The underwater drone was completely undetected, demonstrating a significant leap in Ukraine’s naval strike capability.
As a result, the Black Sea Fleet will most likely be forced to withdraw further—or entirely—from the Black Sea. This would significantly reduce Russia’s ability to conduct missile strikes from the sea and help protect Odesa, Ukraine’s last major seaport.