On July 11th, Ukrainian forces launched significant strikes across the Sea of Azov, targeting 21 oil tankers, four tugboats, and two dry cargo ships. These actions aimed to diminish the Russian aggressor’s military-economic potential by disrupting oil transportation that finances the war and hindering military logistics and port operations. The extensive damage has forced a halt to shipping through the Kerch Strait, impacting global food markets, particularly wheat shipments. Further strikes in Taganrog involved drones attacking four vessels, with Russian authorities reporting only minor damage and successful air defense interceptions.
Read More
Ukraine has publicly displayed its US-supplied Harpoon coastal defense missile system for the first time, coinciding with President Zelenskyy’s visit to the Odesa region. This demonstration, part of a meeting focused on southern Ukraine’s security, showcased the Harpoon launcher alongside other naval capabilities previously undisclosed. The truck-mounted system, adapted for coastal defense, carries four missile canisters and represents a significant enhancement to Ukraine’s naval forces, having been operational since its 2022 delivery.
Read More
A Ukrainian-built military sea drone carrying explosives was discovered on the Greek island of Lefkada, posing a significant threat to Mediterranean navigation. Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias described the incident as “extremely serious” and announced plans to raise the issue with European Union colleagues and Ukrainian officials. Greek naval experts identified the unmanned surface vehicle as resembling Ukrainian Magura-type craft, suggesting a malfunction led it to drift uncontrolled. The discovery underscores the escalating drone confrontations and potential for incursions into NATO and EU member states.
Read More
The introduction of Iran’s Azhdar stealth underwater drone poses a significant threat to global maritime security, particularly in vital chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. This electrically powered, nearly silent drone boasts extended endurance and an asymmetric cost structure, challenging the dominance of traditional naval fleets. Its operational concept reflects a broader shift in naval warfare towards quiet electric propulsion, autonomous targeting, and swarm deployments, potentially eroding the security of global shipping lanes. The Azhdar’s stealth characteristics and sustained patrol capabilities could allow relatively inexpensive systems to disrupt technologically superior naval forces in confined waters.
Read More
Iran’s strong condemnation of the torpedoing of one of its naval ships by a U.S. submarine, labeling it an “atrocity,” has ignited a contentious debate about the nature of warfare and the hypocrisy often embedded within international conflicts. The incident, which marks the first time a U.S. submarine has employed a torpedo against a vessel since World War II, has naturally drawn sharp reactions, particularly from Iran, highlighting the starkly different perspectives on what constitutes a legitimate act of war versus an unforgivable transgression.
At the heart of the matter lies the identity and purpose of the Iranian vessel. It was unequivocally described as a naval ship, intended for combat and likely on its way to engage in operations.… Continue reading
The distressing news of an Iranian warship sinking off the coast of Sri Lanka, with bodies recovered from the sea, paints a grim picture of escalating global tensions. This unfortunate event, occurring in international waters, immediately raises a multitude of questions and concerns, touching upon the complexities of regional conflicts and the devastating human cost of warfare. The very notion of bodies being recovered at sea underscores the finality and tragedy of such incidents.
The location, just off territorial waters, highlights the delicate balance of maritime jurisdiction and the potential for incidents to spill over into broader geopolitical disputes. For neighboring nations like India, the sinking undoubtedly sparks significant concern, prompting a re-evaluation of regional security dynamics and potential implications for their own interests.… Continue reading
A submarine attack off the coast of Sri Lanka has resulted in the sinking of the Iranian Moudge-class frigate IRIS Dena (hull number 75), with at least 101 people missing and 78 injured. Rescued sailors have been admitted to Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, and ongoing rescue efforts continue for the approximately 180 sailors who were aboard the vessel. The IRIS Dena, commissioned in 2021, was en route back from a naval exercise in India when the incident occurred. Sri Lanka’s navy and air force have deployed assets to aid in the rescue operation.
Read More
It’s quite remarkable, isn’t it, the news about Iran’s purported “drone aircraft carrier” sinking? The headline itself, proclaiming it as the “First Since WW2,” certainly grabs your attention, though it immediately sparks a cascade of questions and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of skepticism. It seems this vessel, officially designated as a drone carrier, is really a converted cargo ship, outfitted with a runway specifically for launching drones. The scale and nature of it are vastly different from what we typically envision when we hear the term “aircraft carrier.” Think less of a colossal, multi-deck behemoth and more of a modified ship with a rather basic addition for its aerial endeavors.… Continue reading
Ukraine took out Russia’s only submarine-hunter aircraft before a historic Kilo-class sub strike, a sequence of events that highlights the evolving nature of modern warfare and Ukraine’s impressive strategic acumen. This wasn’t just any aircraft; it was a key asset for anti-submarine warfare, an Il-38, stationed in the Black Sea region. Its destruction, coupled with the subsequent successful attack on a Russian Kilo-class submarine, paints a picture of deliberate planning and a remarkable ability to leverage asymmetric warfare tactics. The precision and timing of these operations, especially, are the hallmarks of a well-executed strategy.
The removal of the Il-38, a critical platform for detecting and tracking submarines, likely created a significant vulnerability for the Russian naval presence in the Black Sea.… Continue reading
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) conducted a special operation resulting in a naval attack in the port of Novorossiysk. Underwater drones, “Sub Sea Baby,” were deployed to detonate a Russian 636.3 “Varshavyanka” class submarine, causing critical damage and rendering it inoperable. The submarine, which housed four Kalibr cruise missile launchers, is estimated to cost up to $500 million. This operation, a joint effort between the SSU and the Naval Forces of Ukraine, further hindered Russia’s naval capabilities.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood