Ukrainian Military Intelligence (HUR) reported a successful drone strike on a high-value Russian Black Sea Fleet vessel near Novorossiysk, disabling a Project MPSV07 multipurpose support ship valued at $60 million. The attack targeted the ship’s bridge, destroying navigation and surveillance systems, forcing it out of service and requiring costly repairs. This strike occurred while the Russian vessel was conducting electronic reconnaissance and patrolling the approaches to Novorossiysk Bay. The attack is part of Ukraine’s intensified use of domestically produced drones, following other successful operations against Russian assets, including a strike on a Russian military tugboat in Sevastopol Bay.
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On August 28, 2025, Ukrainian forces achieved a historic milestone by successfully striking the Russian corvette Buyan-M, armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, in the Azov Sea using an FPV drone. The attack, carried out by the Ukrainian military intelligence unit HUR, demonstrated a range exceeding 350 km, highlighting the precision capabilities of Ukrainian drones. The Buyan-M’s air defense systems failed to respond, potentially due to radar malfunctions, necessitating significant repairs. This marks the first instance of an FPV drone successfully targeting a military ship of this size and adds to the HUR’s record of successful drone strikes, including the prior destruction of a Russian Su-30 fighter jet.
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On August 18th, the Admiral Nakhimov battle cruiser was assisted by tugs out of the Sevmash shipyard in northern Russia. The warship, which has been undergoing decades of modernization, is set to begin sea trials in the White Sea and Barents Sea over the next few months. Officially confirmed by the state-controlled information agency TASS, the Admiral Nakhimov will be armed with an array of advanced weapons, including the Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile. This modernization project has faced numerous delays, with original plans for deployment in 2018 pushed back repeatedly. Ultimately, this warship will replace the Pyotr Velikiy, a vessel of the same class, in the Northern Fleet.
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The news of a new Russian tugboat sinking in Saint Petersburg, yet another setback for a fleet already battered by Ukraine’s strikes, is, frankly, a bit on the darkly humorous side. It’s difficult to ignore the historical context here, especially considering the well-documented issues plaguing the Russian Navy, and the state of the “Admiral Kuznetsov” aircraft carrier, which has been a source of problems for a decade.
The fact that this brand-new tugboat sank, despite supposedly being a new addition to the fleet, is a bit absurd. Some say it’s reminiscent of a “superpower” that struggles with basic functionality. It seems the “no injuries were reported” announcement is their standard operating procedure at this point.… Continue reading
Ukraine claims its military intelligence agency has obtained classified information on Russia’s new Project 955A Borei-class submarine, the Knyaz Pozharsky, which entered service recently. The data includes crew lists, diagrams of survivability systems, and operational instructions, potentially revealing vulnerabilities of the submarine, a key component of Russia’s nuclear triad. The HUR, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, published documents allegedly obtained from the breach, aiming to expose technical limitations of this advanced vessel. This operation could be a setback for the Russian Navy, especially given the submarine’s strategic importance.
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The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has obtained a full set of classified documents regarding the Russian Navy’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, Knyaz Pozharsky, a Borei-A class vessel. These documents contain detailed information including crew lists, operational schedules, schematics of combat systems, and engineering documentation. The Knyaz Pozharsky, commissioned in 2025, is a key component of Russia’s strategic nuclear triad, equipped with 16 R-30 Bulava missiles and is part of the modernized Project 955A Borei-A series. This information provides valuable insights into the submarine’s capabilities and limitations, as well as the broader class, and could potentially compromise Russia’s naval deterrent posture.
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Russia canceled its major annual navy parade on July 27th in Sevastopol and St. Petersburg due to “security reasons”, as stated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, though specific threats were not disclosed. President Vladimir Putin, who typically attends the event, delivered a video message praising sailors involved in the Ukraine offensive. The cancellation occurred amidst reports of retaliatory Ukrainian drone strikes, with the Russian Defence Ministry reporting the downing of numerous drones overnight, including those near St. Petersburg which disrupted airport operations.
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Russia’s lone aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, is likely destined for the scrapyard or a sale, according to shipbuilding sources. This feels like the inevitable conclusion to a long-running saga of neglect and repeated mishaps for a ship that’s more of a symbol than a functional war machine. The idea of this vessel, a source of national pride, ending up as scrap metal is a stark illustration of the current state of affairs, highlighting resource constraints and strategic missteps.
Who, realistically, would even want to buy this thing? The Kuznetsov has a reputation, and not a good one. It’s notoriously unreliable, a constant source of breakdowns, and even features a fire truck on deck – an unusual addition, to say the least.… Continue reading
Russia is reportedly considering retiring and scrapping its only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, after years of costly repairs and setbacks. The vessel, plagued by mechanical failures and accidents since its launch in 1990, has been undergoing an extensive overhaul since 2018 with repeated delays. With the work suspended, discussions are now underway between the Russian Navy and shipbuilding authorities. Experts believe the carrier is outdated, and its retirement would leave Russia without an operational carrier, prompting debate about future naval capabilities and priorities.
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Deputy commander of Russian Navy killed in Ukrainian strike in Kursk, and it’s a significant blow for Russia. Losing high-ranking military personnel is always a problem, creating a vacuum of leadership and disrupting the chain of command. It’s not just about the loss of one individual; it’s about the impact on morale, experience, and overall operational effectiveness. When a deputy commander, a crucial figure in the naval hierarchy, is taken out, it leaves a hole that’s hard to fill quickly. The remaining leadership has to reorganize and reassign responsibilities, inevitably leading to delays and potential confusion.
This news is obviously well-received in Ukraine.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood