Ukraine used Sea Baby to attack Dashan, a ship belonging to the Shadow Fleet.
Ukraine attacked the Comoros-flagged oil tanker Dashan in the Black Sea on December 11th using the USV Sea Baby; the SBU said the damage was severe and the ship was crippled. This was the third attack targeting the shadow fleet in less than two weeks.
Ukraine used the explosive-laden Sea Baby drone to attack the oil tanker Dashan in the Black Sea on December 11. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) stated that the ship suffered “serious damage” and initial indications suggest it was “completely paralyzed.” According to the SBU, this was the third attack on a ship belonging to the “shadow fleet” in less than two weeks, part of a long-range operation targeting Russia’s energy sector.
The SBU said the USS Dashan, flying the Comoros flag, was moving within Ukraine's exclusive economic zone toward Novorossiysk. Public tracking data last recorded the ship in the middle of the Black Sea. SBU sources said the Dashan was traveling at maximum speed and had its transponder switched off; video from the USV Sea Baby showed multiple hits. The Russian Ministry of Defense and the Russian Embassy in the US have not yet responded.
Main developments
- According to the SBU, the USV Sea Baby, in coordination with the Ukrainian Navy, attacked the oil tanker Dashan on December 11.
- SBU: Severe damage, the ship is "completely paralyzed" according to initial indications.
- Dashan is subject to sanctions by several Western countries and the European Union; its value is $30 million; it is believed to transport Russian oil and often turns off its tracking device, according to the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Agency (HUR).
- This incident marks the third time Ukraine has targeted ships belonging to the "shadow fleet" in less than two weeks; earlier, in late November, two Russian oil tankers were attacked near Novorossiysk.
Technical and operational analysis of the USV Sea Baby.
According to the SBU, the vehicles used were Sea Baby unmanned vessels carrying explosives. The attack was carried out in coordination with the Ukrainian Navy, and video footage shows multiple hits on the target. The fact that Dashan had its transponder switched off but was still approached indicates that the operation was well-prepared and involved tactical-level target tracking.
The three recent attacks on oil tankers demonstrate a shift in how Ukraine deploys its firepower: increasingly targeting maritime targets, supplementing previous long-range strikes on oil refineries and onshore energy infrastructure in Russia.
The objectives of the Shadow Fleet and their tactical implications.
The “shadow fleet” is described as a group of hundreds of oil tankers operating to circumvent sanctions on Russian energy exports. The SBU (Russian Federal Service for Security and Defense) stated it continues to “reduce petrodollar flow into the Russian Federation budget.” Attacks on ships involved in oil shipments to transit points like Novorossiysk directly put pressure on Russia’s energy logistics chain.
The context of maritime sanctions and surveillance.
The Dashan sailed under the Comoros flag and was sanctioned by several Western countries and the European Union, according to HUR. The ship was believed to be carrying Russian oil and often switched off its tracking device. Publicly available tracking data last placed the ship in the middle of the Black Sea before the December 11 attack.
Recent Attack Timeline
| Timeline | Developments | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Late November | The SBU used unmanned vessels to attack and damage two Russian oil tankers before they were due to load at Novorossiysk. | SBU via Insider |
| 11.12 | The USV Sea Baby attacked Dashan; the SBU said the damage was severe, showing signs of complete paralysis. The ship, flying the Comoros flag, was operating within Ukraine's EEZ. | SBU via Insider |
USV exports: a driving force for the defense industry.
In late September, Insider reported that Ukraine had taken steps to export certain types of weapons, including the unmanned vessels that had "crippled Russia's Black Sea Fleet." President Volodymyr Zelensky said that exports of excess production would be controlled, with unmanned vessels and anti-tank weapons being areas of surplus. The revenue was expected to be used to invest in aerial drones.
Ukraine prioritizes equipping the front lines and securing domestic reserves before exporting, while also preventing technology from falling into enemy hands. Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine will present concepts for three export platforms: one for the US, one for Europe, and one for other partners.
He stated that 30% of Ukraine's military equipment used in 2024 will be domestically produced, with a target of reaching 50% by the end of 2025. However, the government acknowledges that the defense budget limits its absorption capacity, while businesses could produce more. Serhiy Goncharov, CEO of NAUDI, said that revenue from exports will help increase production efficiency, reduce costs, and promote innovation through investment in research and development.
Impacts and considerations
- The attacks on oil tankers highlight the emerging focus of naval warfare in Ukraine's long-range operations.
- The SBU announced its goal of cutting petrodollar flows into the Russian budget; Russia has not yet responded at the time of this announcement.
- The plan to export USVs and other weapons is expected to generate funding for large-scale production, but still prioritizes domestic battlefield needs.
