Russia-Ukraine War in Black Sea: Analysing the Employment of Unmanned Combat Systems by Ukraine

Abstract

The article examines the strategic dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Black Sea, focusing on the transforming conduct of naval warfare. The employment of unmanned combat systems by Ukraine in Black Sea represents a strategic innovation that could redefine future naval warfare. This conflict serves as a crucial case study in how smaller nations can utilise technology to counterbalance larger powers in the maritime domain. To better understand the conventional disparity between Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) and Ukrainian Navy, the article provides a pre -war comparative analysis of naval vessels operated by both forces. Later it gives brief overview of objectives which Moscow wanted to achieve in Black Sea in the opening days of conflict. Later the article provides a periodic recap of major incidents that have taken place in the Black Sea conflict till August 2024. The overview highlights approximately all major naval losses suffered by both naval forces. Particularly, attrition losses suffered by Black Sea Fleet against Ukrainian unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) like TB-02 and kamikaze unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have been accounted. The article underscores the employment tactics of unmanned assets by Ukraine and how Russia has failed to effectively counter such threats despite conventional superiority in traditional sense. Furthermore, it explores how such systems will evolve in future conflicts and will reshape the conduct of future naval warfare.