Principles and means of protection against unmanned kamikaze boats
Patrol ship "Vasily Bykov" project 22160 - recently it destroyed Ukrainian boats. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Since last autumn, the Kiev regime, left without a full-fledged naval force, has been using disposable attack unmanned boats. With the help of such equipment, they regularly try to attack our ships and coastal facilities. The Russian armed forces are aware of this threat and are taking steps to neutralize it. Due to certain means and methods, the use of such boats is prevented or suppressed.
current threat
The possibility of unmanned kamikaze boats appearing in the Kyiv regime became known last summer. Later, in September, this information was confirmed - the enemy tried to use such a technique for the first time. At the same time, the attack failed, and our specialists got the opportunity to study a new percussion weapon.
Nevertheless, the Ukrainian formations did not abandon their attempts to use boats and attack our facilities and ships. In addition, they received new models of similar equipment with different tactical and technical characteristics. Reportedly, the largest kamikaze boats can carry a charge of hundreds of kilograms and deliver it to a distance of up to 800 km.
In recent weeks the enemy has begun to use his boats more frequently. So, on the morning of July 16, a pair of such funds tried to break through to the Crimean coast near the city of Sevastopol. Obviously, they were sent to the port and ships, but the sabotage attempt was successfully suppressed. On the night of July 17, kamikaze boats were used in an attack on the Kerch bridge. This time the breakthrough was successful - the bridge structures were damaged and people died.
Ukrainian boat found in Crimea in September 2022. Photo by Telegram / "Rybar"
On the night of July 25, two boats tried to attack the Sergei Kotov patrol ship, which was performing tasks in the western part of the Black Sea. The threat was identified and neutralized in time. With the help of standard weapons, the crew of the ship destroyed the boats at a distance of 1000 and 800 m. On August 1, "Sergey Kotov", together with the ship of the same type "Vasily Bykov", repelled the attack of three boats that threatened civilian shipping.
On the night of August 4, the enemy again attempted to attack coastal targets. This time, his target was the Novorossiysk naval base. Two enemy boats were again discovered and destroyed. At the same time, Ukrainian propaganda, despite another failure, is trying to make this sabotage successful - the reason for its joy was the damage to one of the Russian ships. A day later, a civilian tanker was attacked in the area of the Kerch Strait.
It is obvious that the Kiev regime will continue to attack our ships and coastal facilities with the help of unmanned boats available to it. In addition, the civilian population and shipping have already suffered. In this regard, our the fleet and other troops will have to take appropriate action. Fortunately, all the necessary methods and means are already known, mastered and ready. That is why the bulk of enemy boats are destroyed long before approaching their targets.
Preventive demilitarization
Attacks by kamikaze boats can be prevented already at the stage of their organization. To do this, it is necessary to identify the places of production and deployment of such equipment. A timely strike against such enterprises and bases reduces the operational capabilities of the enemy or even deprives him of the opportunity to carry out sabotage.
The boat used in the attack on the Azov ship, June 2023. Photo by the RF Ministry of Defense
The Russian army is taking appropriate measures. Infrastructure objects intended for unmanned boats are identified and destroyed. So, on July 18 - the day after the terrorist attack against the Kerch bridge - the Navy carried out a group strike with a high-precision weapons sea-based on enemy targets in the Odessa area, where kamikaze boats were assembled and trained. This operation was designated as a retaliation strike.
On the night of July 20, a similar strike was carried out by the Air Force and the Navy. The targets were objects in the region of Odessa and Ilyichevsk. On July 23, air and sea-based complexes again carried retribution. It is obvious that in the near future the enemy will be answered for the attack of Novorossiysk.
Roadblock
A fairly simple and effective means against surface and underwater threats of various kinds are booms and boom nets. Such a device is a chain of separate floating elements, to which a net can be attached from below. Despite its simplicity, this type of barrier makes it possible to protect the water area from enemy surface and underwater equipment.
Back in January, the foreign press, referring to satellite images of commercial operators, reported that the Black Sea Fleet had begun using booms. With their help, they then defended the bays of Sevastopol, where our ships are based. Unfortunately, this complicates the process of going to sea and returning to base, but such difficulties are justified by the reduction in risks.
A few days ago it became known that the Kerch Bridge was receiving similar protection. To protect against new attacks, the strait in the area of \uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe structure will be blocked from both sides with booms. This will affect civilian shipping, but, as in the case of Sevastopol, security pays for all temporary inconvenience.
A machine gunner on board the "Priazovie" fires at the boat. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
It must be recalled that bonnet barriers are not used independently. They are used as part of a set of measures to protect water areas. In particular, surface and underwater conditions are monitored, and, if necessary, one or another weapon is used.
fire impact
As the events of recent weeks have shown, warships play a significant role in the fight against kamikaze boats. They are capable of identifying and destroying such targets close to bases and on the high seas - in recent weeks and months, several pennants have shown such capabilities. In addition, the surface fleet ensured the delivery of retaliatory strikes and hit the bases of enemy boats with standard weapons.
Ukrainian unmanned boats actually represent a surface high-speed maneuverable target. Such an object can be detected using standard radars of various types installed on our ships. In addition, visual observation of the environment is of great importance. Radio equipment and optics make it possible to detect a dangerous object at distances of kilometers and take the necessary measures.
Kamikaze boats are destroyed by the standard weapons of the ships. They do not have any additional protection and are vulnerable to any weapons, ranging from heavy machine guns. After one of the previous attacks, the Ministry of Defense showed footage of the boat being hit by machine-gun fire. It is also possible to use small-caliber rapid-fire artillery. It compares favorably with machine guns in greater firepower and the presence of automated control systems.
A new type of kamikaze boat in service with Ukraine. Frame from CNN report
Enemy boats are controlled by radio and use satellite navigation. This means that they are fundamentally vulnerable to electronic warfare systems. On our ships, as well as on coastal facilities, there are such facilities. However, so far no suppression of boats has been reported - they are simply destroyed.
Ships of various types are now involved in the protection of water areas, bases and shipping. So, the civilian fleet is covered by patrol ships of project 22160, and recently they had to repel attacks by kamikaze boats. Earlier, in June, the Azov reconnaissance ship fought against a similar threat, and its crew destroyed the attacking boats.
The fight goes on
Thus, Ukrainian disposable strike boats pose a known threat to our ships and coastal facilities, but it should not be overestimated. They can and should be fought, and our armed forces have all the necessary means, methods and competencies.
As practice shows, the Russian Navy effectively solves the problem of countering kamikaze boats. The vast majority of such objects are detected and hit on the way to their goals. In addition, some, as yet unknown, number of boats were destroyed by attacks on their bases. However, individual means of attack still break through to our objects and inflict damage.
All this shows that the next Ukrainian “wonder weapon”, created with the help of foreign specialists and designed to change the situation at sea, did not live up to expectations. However, the enemy is not going to give it up and will attempt new attacks. Accordingly, our fleet will have to continue to fight this specific threat.
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