The Russian Kalibr cruise missile carrier was most likely hit by RUBAKA and/or UJ-26 Bober drones of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) in the Temryuk Bay in the Sea of Azov.
The strike damaged the ship's hull and disabled its key radar system, leaving the corvette vulnerable. Despite being equipped with various defense systems, including an artillery complex and AK-630M2 Duet six-barrel AO-18 cannons, the Russian ship was unable to respond effectively to the attack, highlighting the vulnerability of Russian naval assets.
For the first time drones penetrated the defenses of a warship of this caliber.
This historic moment showcased the effectiveness of FPV drones in naval warfare, achieving a significant milestone exactly 73 years after the first combat use of an FPV drone in 1952.
Buyan-M project 21631 small missile ships are a series of Russian multipurpose third-rank vessels with low displacement, equipped with guided missile systems and designed for “river-sea” operations in near-shore maritime zones.
These corvettes form the backbone of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla, comprising seven ships, with an additional four serving in the Baltic Fleet.