In a recent development, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces struck the Russian Buyan-M Grad small missile ship (hull number 575) on October 4, 2025, within Lake Onega in Karelia. The attack, targeting the power plant compartment, caused critical damage, severely impacting the ship’s operational capabilities. The Grad, a newer vessel commissioned in 2022, was en route from the Baltic Sea to the Caspian Sea, potentially to bolster the Russian fleet in the southern region. Further details regarding other damaged Buyan-M vessels and their deployment against Ukraine are available in a related article.
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At the Defense Tech Valley 2025 exhibition in Lviv, Ukraine publicly displayed its TOLOKA underwater drone, a platform with three variants designed to strike targets up to 2,000 kilometers away. The TLK-150 model is designed for stealth, while the larger TLK-400 and TLK-1000 offer increased range and payload capacity. The unveiling of TOLOKA aligns with Ukraine’s focus on precision strikes, particularly against Russian infrastructure, and may have even been involved in attacks on the Crimean Bridge. This development underscores Ukraine’s ongoing expansion of its naval drone fleet, which has already proven effective in targeting Russian assets in the Black Sea.
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Japan has successfully tested a ship-mounted electromagnetic railgun, firing at a target vessel at sea. The Ministry of Defense’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) announced the firing tests, which took place between June and early July. These tests, conducted on the JS Asuka test ship, bring Japan closer to deploying this next-generation weapon system. This achievement could make Japan the first nation to deploy such a railgun.
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On August 28, 2025, a Buyan-M class missile vessel, capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, was targeted by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) in the Sea of Azov near occupied Crimea. The DIU reported that the Prymary Special Unit employed an aerial drone to damage the vessel’s radar system. Simultaneously, special forces from the Department of Active Operations struck the hull of the Russian corvette, causing it to sustain damage and withdraw from its combat duty location. This operation follows a recent DIU report of an uncrewed surface vessel attack in Novorossiysk Bay.
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Two Chinese aircraft carriers, a sight previously unseen in the Pacific, have been observed by Japan. This development warrants a closer look at the implications, particularly given the evolving landscape of naval warfare. One carrier is a refurbished, ex-Soviet vessel, primarily serving as a training platform for Chinese naval aviators. The other is a domestically built carrier, though still based on Soviet designs.
Both carriers utilize a ski-jump launch system instead of a catapult, a limitation affecting the fuel and payload capacity of launched aircraft. This design choice, while perhaps practical for training, presents a strategic disadvantage in a full-scale conflict.… Continue reading
Ukrainian forces, utilizing domestically modified Magura USVs armed with R-73 air-to-air missiles, successfully struck a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near Novorossiysk. This attack, confirmed by multiple sources including the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, represents a significant escalation of Ukraine’s naval capabilities. The successful engagement follows a previous December operation where the same weapon system downed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters. The reported destruction of the Su-30, costing an estimated $50 million, highlights the effectiveness of this innovative Ukrainian technology.
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Highly effective Ukrainian operations have significantly constrained Russia’s Black Sea naval capabilities, a major blow to the Kremlin. Since February 2022, Ukrainian forces have damaged or destroyed at least 24 Russian vessels, including the flagship Moskva. This forced the relocation of major Russian Black Sea Fleet assets from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk. Despite these setbacks, the Russian fleet continues to support ground offensives with long-range strikes.
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Recent UK intelligence indicates Ukraine’s persistent attacks are significantly undermining Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, restricting its operations primarily to the eastern Black Sea. These actions, including targeting naval infrastructure and vessels, have forced Russia to increase defensive measures around Novorossiysk. Despite this, the overall tempo of Black Sea operations remains low. This naval pressure comes as Russia continues its land invasion, albeit at an accelerated pace.
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In a significant escalation, Ukraine launched a drone attack on Russian warships in the Caspian Sea, marking the first time Kyiv has targeted vessels in this region. The attack, which took place in the port city of Kaspiysk, hundreds of miles from the frontlines, highlights Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capabilities and its ongoing efforts to cripple Russia’s naval forces. This attack follows a pattern of successful Ukrainian strikes on Russian naval vessels in the Black Sea, demonstrating the effectiveness of their asymmetric warfare tactics. The Caspian Sea attack, coupled with Ukraine’s increasing use of drones to strike land targets deep within Russia, suggests a new phase in the conflict, characterized by Ukraine’s ability to project force beyond the immediate battlefields.
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A US submarine pulling into Guantanamo Bay a day after Russian warships arrive in Cuba certainly raises eyebrows and sparks intrigue. It’s like a high-stakes game of chess being played out on the open seas, with each move and countermove carrying significant weight in geopolitical relations.
The subtle yet powerful message of the US submarine’s arrival is hard to miss. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder to the Russians that they are being closely monitored, their every move tracked and analyzed. The US Navy’s ability to keep tabs on the Russian warships showcases a level of intelligence and technological prowess that cannot be ignored.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood