Ukraine claims first autonomous naval combat victory as Sargan 3000 destroys Russian MBeK
Video released by Ukraine's Navy shows its unmanned surface vessel sinking a Russian counterpart in the Black Sea using an automated weapons turret.
Footage captured the final moments of a Russian MBeK as it descended nose-first into the Black Sea's depths.
Ukraine's Navy announced achieving what it describes as "the first-ever battle of unmanned naval boats" (machine translation). The engagement featured the nation's Sargan 3000 sea drone engaging and destroying a Russian MBeK in the Black Sea, with video documentation released through the official UA Navy Telegram channel.
The recorded sequence depicts the Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicle (USV) engaging what authorities identify as a Russian MBeK, discharging multiple rounds from its 12.7mm 'Protector RWS' automated turret. According to the official Telegram statement, the Russian USV had been "detected by the GUR units"—GUR being shorthand for Ukraine's Ministry of Defense Main Directorate of Intelligence.
Following the barrage, explosions erupted and smoke enveloped the Russian vessel. Ukrainian forces apparently deployed aerial reconnaissance assets to document the confrontation, providing overhead perspectives of the autonomous naval engagement.
The footage concludes with the MBeK submerging, its hull compromised and sinking with a distinctive forward angle, leaving it perforated and inoperable on the seabed.
The Sargan 3000 joined Ukraine's Navy operations in April 2026. Previously, the same platform gained attention after striking the Russian FSB border patrol vessel 'Izumrud' near the Russian resort destination Gelendzhik in mid-July.
The platform functions as a versatile maritime system capable of accepting different mission payloads, a capability demonstrated through recent combat applications and documented imagery. The turret-equipped variant shown in today's engagement differs from the configuration used against the Izumrud. Documented variants display the USV equipped with FPV drone deployment capacity, dual transport and launch modules, and remote weapon systems.
Specifications for the Sargan 3000 indicate a length near 23 feet (6.9m), operational range approaching 1,000 miles (1,600 km), payload capacity reaching 990 pounds (450kg), and maximum velocity of approximately 50 knots. Manufacturing capacity estimates suggest Ukraine can assemble roughly 25 units monthly.
Both the United States and United Kingdom are advancing their own autonomous naval platforms, with some already assigned to safeguarding submarine infrastructure and maritime pipelines.
Source: Tom's Hardware