The Ukrainian Naval War (2024) - Armed drones, exports & the battle for the Black Sea

Sponsored by Ground News: Compare news coverage. Spot media bias. Avoid algorithms. Try Ground News today and get 50% off your subscription by going to https://ground.news/perun Russia began its Feb 2022 invasion with a massive force advantage over Ukraine in the Black Sea - but over time we've seen the Russian fleet steadily pushed back by a Ukrainian strategy of sea denial driven by anti-ship missiles, reconnaissance drones and, critically, USVs (AKA naval drones) Those drones have evolved rapidly, to the point where now we've seen them launching rockets or fighting back against helicopters. So in this episode, I look at the Black Sea campaign since our 2023 update, and examine the evolution of Ukrainian USVs and the Russian response. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU Reading and Sourcing: CSIS on Russia's strikes on Ukrainian Grain Infrastructure https://www.csis.org/analysis/russias-renewed-attacks-ukraines-grain-infrastructure-why-now-what-next Associated reporting https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-missile-hits-civilian-ship-with-ukrainian-grain-black-sea-zelenskiy-says-2024-09-12/ https://kyivindependent.com/romania-condemns-russian-strike-on-cargo-ship-with-ukrainian-grain-in-black-sea/ https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15857.doc.htm https://interfax.com.ua/news/economic/1022955.html Anti-mine initiative https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-romania-bulgaria-ink-deal-clear-floating-black-sea-mines-2024-01-11/ FPV carrier https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/12/world-first-ukraines-newest-naval-drone-in-unique-attack-on-russian-positions/ https://mil.in.ua/en/news/the-ukrainian-navy-received-naval-drones-equipped-with-strike-fpv-drones/ Ukraine Arms Sea Baby Drones with Grad rockets https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/01/ukraine-arms-sea-baby-usvs-with-rockets-or-missiles/ https://kyivindependent.com/the-sbu-has-a-new-weapon-grad-equipped-sea-baby-drones/ Ukrainian USVs get guns https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/12/09/ukraines-sea-baby-drone-boats-shoot-back-now/ https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3935841-ukraines-sea-drones-engage-russian-helicopters-hit-barge-raw-footage.html USVs vs countermeasures https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-guns-on-warships-havent-stopped-ukraines-sea-drones-general-2024-3 The scope incident https://www.npr.org/2024/09/04/nx-s1-5100305/navy-commander-photo-rifle-scope-mounted-backward LRUSV + Hero Loitering Munition https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/07/usmc-adds-loitering-munitions-to-its-lrusv-naval-drones/ 385 Brigade https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/worlds-first-specialized-explosive-naval-drone-unit-formed-in-ukraine/ Reporting on Vice Admiral Wikoff's comments https://www.voanews.com/a/houthis-undeterred-despite-us-action-to-protect-red-sea-shipping/7734735.html Reporting on the collapse of the Grain Initiative https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/20/what-was-the-black-sea-grain-deal-and-why-did-it-collapse https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2023/07/17/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-nsc-coordinator-for-strategic-communications-john-kirby-18/ Reporting on Ukraine's Grain deliveries https://www.voanews.com/a/tons-of-ukrainian-grain-arrives-in-drought-hit-malawi/7855276.html https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/ukrainian-grain-exports-explained/ https://www.cfr.org/article/how-ukraine-overcame-russias-grain-blockade https://www.csis.org/analysis/setting-record-straight-ukraines-grain-exports USMC tests HIMARS from the deck of the USS Anchorage https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1351282/anchorage-conducts-high-mobility-artillery-rocket-system-shoot-during-db17 TASS (2021) on the Admiral Nakhimov https://tass.com/defense/1281679 Neptune production https://euromaidanpress.com/2024/11/19/ukraine-scales-up-production-of-advanced-neptune-missiles/ Magura & Sea Baby https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/magura-v5-in-action-how-many-russian-ships-1709632507.html https://www.twz.com/new-drone-boat-named-sea-baby-used-in-kerch-bridge-attack Caveats & Comments: See the pinned comment for corrections. All normal caveats and comments apply. Including, as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon. Any content relating to the conduct and/or activities of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or in relation to that person or character. Timestamps: 00:00:00 — Opening Words 00:01:15 — What Am I Talking About? 00:03:28 — Background 00:06:39 — Battle For The Black Sea 00:14:58 — Russia Changes Tactics 00:24:53 — Drone Evolution 00:35:22 — Counter-adaptation (drones with guns) 00:43:48 — Future Trends 00:50:50 — Wider Implications 01:01:46 — Channel Update