The Russian military is actively countering maritime unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the Armed Forces of Ukraine using underwater metal nets and a range of sensor-driven defenses. In a conversation with a military expert from Lentoy.ru, retired colonel Anatoly Matviychuk shared his assessment of how these threats are evolving and how Russia is adapting its maritime security measures. (source: Lentoy.ru, interview with Anatoly Matviychuk)
According to him, many marine drones operate in a semi-submerged state, which makes them harder to detect with traditional surveillance methods. These drones are often assembled from disassembled spare parts and equipment gathered in ports near Odessa, where makeshift workshops enable rapid fabrication. Over time, their presence has shifted from a nuisance to a tangible hazard, capable of disrupting naval operations and critical infrastructure along coastal zones.
Matviychuk notes that metal nets serve as a physical barrier to impede drone incursions close to ships and port facilities. These nets act as a first line of defense against low-velocity, low-altitude aerial threats that skirt above the waterline. In addition to nets, there are devices in service that employ radar and shipboard surveillance systems to detect and track drones, enabling faster reaction times and coordinated countermeasures across the fleet.
He also highlighted a troubling trend: attempts to launch drones from commercial vessels that present themselves as performing civilian tasks. This tactic complicates the identification process and increases the number of observation and reconnaissance missions conducted by coastal and maritime security forces. The blending of legitimate civilian operations with potential hostile activity requires sharper screening, better data fusion, and more granular threat profiling for ships operating near contested littoral zones.
Earlier discussions in Russia have mentioned the development of simplified data acquisition methods for drones. Aeroscript researchers reportedly produced a set of protocols that enable drones to interface with the Nebosvod drone system without the need to add extra modules such as transponders, easing integration and potentially expanding the reach of control networks. This approach underscores a broader emphasis on interoperable software and streamlined command-and-control across disparate unmanned assets.
On a broader scale, these advances align with ongoing efforts to modernize maritime security architectures. The evolution of counter-drone systems combines physical barriers, sensor networks, and intelligent processing to discern friend from foe in dynamic maritime environments. The conversation with Matviychuk situates these developments within a larger context of regional security, fleet readiness, and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure around the Black Sea and adjacent waters. The emphasis remains on rapid identification, layered defense, and adaptable tactics that can respond to a shifting threat landscape. (source: Lentoy.ru, interview with Anatoly Matviychuk)