The sea surface drones that successfully attacked the Crimean bridge, as well as the russian landing ship Olenegorskiy gornyak and the SIG tanker, are the SSU’s own technical development. This was stated by the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk in an exclusive commentary to CNN.

‘Sea surface drones are a unique invention of the Security Service of Ukraine. None of the private companies are involved. Using these drones we have conducted successful hits of the Crimean bridge in July 2023, the landing ship Olengorskiy gornyak and the SIG oil tanker,’ the SSU Head Vasyl Maliuk stated.

He added that the SSU team, assisted by civilian engineers and IT specialists, is working on development and production of these drones.

‘Our drones are manufactured at an underground facility in Ukraine. We are working on a number of new interesting operations, including in the Black Sea waters. I promise you, it’ll be exciting, especially for our enemies,’ Vasyl Maliuk underscored.

Speaking in more detail on the special operations, he noted that the SSU was the author of the operational plans and their further successful implementation together with the Ukrainian Navy. ‘We take a balanced approach to every special operation at sea. We ‘measure twice and cut once’ – and then sting the enemy’s heart,’ the SSU Head remarks.

Vasyl Maliuk added that the maritime drones that damaged the Crimean bridge in July 2023 were named Sea Baby, on the personnel’s initiative. They are equipped with an 850kg warhead.

Two other surface drones were used to hit the Olenegorskiy gornyak landing ship and the SIG tanker, each with a 450kg warhead.

Vasyl Maliuk emphasised that all targets hit by the Service were completely legitimate under Ukrainian and international law.

He also noted that Western partners are not involved in these special operations but are actively learning the SSU’s unique experience.