In a bold escalation of naval warfare tactics, Ukrainian defense forces have unleashed a new breed of maritime drone technology against Russia’s oil export infrastructure. On September 24, 2025, the ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse—critical arteries in Russia’s energy logistics—found themselves at the center of a dramatic assault involving unmanned surface vessels (USVs) carrying fiber-optic–controlled first-person view (FPV) drones, according to Defense Express and multiple other sources.
Footage and photos posted on Russian Telegram channels in the aftermath of the attack revealed a damaged Ukrainian maritime drone, its hull riddled with what appeared to be fragmentation or bullet holes. The video evidence, analyzed by both Russian and Ukrainian military observers, showed that the USV had been specially outfitted to serve as a carrier for four FPV drones, each connected by a spool of fiber-optic cable. This marks the first known instance of Ukrainian surface drones deploying fiber-optic FPVs—an innovation that could reshape the electronic battlefield in the Black Sea.
Why does this matter? In the cat-and-mouse game of modern warfare, electronic jamming has long been a favored Russian tactic for neutralizing Ukrainian drones. But fiber-optic control provides a direct, hard-wired link between the operator and the drone, making these FPVs virtually immune to electronic warfare interference. As Defense Express put it, "The use of fiber-optic links allows operators to maintain uninterrupted control of the FPV drones even under Russian electronic warfare." That’s a game-changer.
The September 24 attack was no minor skirmish. Ukrainian maritime drones targeted the Transneft oil loading complex and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk—transshipment points that collectively handle up to 2 million barrels of oil per day. These facilities are vital not only for Russia’s domestic economy but also for its so-called "shadow fleet," a network of tankers that enables the country to skirt international sanctions and keep oil revenues flowing. The DIU (Ukrainian defense intelligence) confirmed that the operation also struck an oil loading pier in Tuapse, home to one of Russia’s largest oil terminals.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the mission’s objective was clear: disrupt the oil export lifelines that finance Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. "The fight against the shadow oil exports of the aggressor state continues," the DIU emphasized, underscoring the strategic intent behind the strikes. Ukrainian officials have consistently stated that targeting Russian oil logistics is meant to undercut the revenues that sustain Moscow’s military machine.
But the attack wasn’t without collateral damage. In their effort to repel the drone incursion, Russian forces unleashed what witnesses described as chaotic and inaccurate shelling. Seven residential buildings, a hotel, and several cars were reportedly damaged in the crossfire—an outcome that highlights both the chaos of modern drone warfare and the risks to civilian infrastructure near military targets.
The emergence of these so-called "drone carriers" didn’t happen overnight. Ukrainian unmanned maritime vessels equipped with FPV strike drones first made headlines back in December 2024, when they were used to attack Russian-occupied gas platforms near Crimea. The evolution continued in March 2025, when videos surfaced showing FPVs launched from naval drones destroying Russian air defense systems in Crimea. Each step has demonstrated increasing sophistication and adaptability in Ukraine’s use of unmanned systems at sea.
What sets this latest operation apart is the leap to fiber-optic guidance. Traditional radio-controlled FPV drones are vulnerable to jamming—a vulnerability Russia has exploited with some success. By equipping their drones with fiber-optic cables, Ukrainian operators gain a robust, jam-resistant communications link, allowing for precise navigation and targeting even in the most contested electromagnetic environments. As Defense Express noted, "Fiber-optic guidance enhances communication stability and makes FPV drones resistant to jamming." It’s a simple yet ingenious solution to a high-tech problem.
The tactical implications are significant. These maritime USVs, often referred to by their nickname "Sea Baby," can now approach heavily defended targets, launch their FPVs, and maintain control even as Russian electronic warfare units attempt to sever communications. The result: a more resilient and flexible tool for precision strikes against high-value targets, from oil terminals to air defense systems.
The September 24 operation also coincided with Ukraine’s broader push to modernize its naval drone fleet. Earlier that month, Ukrainian forces tested the upgraded Magura V7.2 USV during NATO’s Dynamic Messenger exercises in Portugal. This new model boasts improved hydrodynamics, jam-resistant navigation, and mid-deck missile launchers—features designed to integrate seamlessly into NATO maritime operations. The Magura V7.2 was even equipped with Sidewinder missiles, underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to staying ahead of the technological curve.
While the attack on Novorossiysk and Tuapse showcased the promise of fiber-optic–controlled drones, it also highlighted the risks and limitations. The captured Ukrainian USV, seen in Russian videos, appeared to have been disabled before it could complete its mission. Whether due to direct hits, shrapnel, or small-arms fire, the drone was left floating near the port, its cargo of FPVs still attached. This suggests that, for all their advantages, these systems remain vulnerable to physical countermeasures and defensive fire.
Nevertheless, the psychological impact on Russian forces and the broader strategic landscape is hard to overstate. The ability to strike deep into Russian-controlled territory, bypassing sophisticated electronic defenses, sends a powerful message about Ukraine’s ingenuity and resolve. It also puts additional pressure on Russia to shore up its Black Sea defenses—a task made all the more difficult by the sheer unpredictability of drone warfare.
For civilians in the affected port cities, the attack was a stark reminder of the war’s reach and volatility. The Russian military’s response, marked by indiscriminate shelling, caused damage well beyond the intended military targets. Seven residential buildings and a hotel bore the brunt of the defensive barrage, leaving local residents to pick up the pieces amid the wreckage of a high-tech battle playing out on their doorstep.
As Ukraine’s maritime drone program continues to evolve, the world is watching closely. From the first reports of drone carriers in late 2024 to the latest fiber-optic innovations, each new development raises the stakes in the contest for control of the Black Sea. The September 24 strike on Novorossiysk and Tuapse may not have crippled Russia’s oil export capacity overnight, but it demonstrated a new level of sophistication—and a willingness to take the fight directly to the economic heart of the aggressor state.
In the end, the battle over oil terminals and shipping lanes is about more than just barrels and tankers. It’s a test of technological ingenuity, strategic daring, and the relentless drive to disrupt an adversary’s war machine by any means necessary. And as the dust settles in Novorossiysk and Tuapse, one thing is clear: the future of naval warfare has arrived, fiber-optic cables and all.