Russian Submarine Force: Repercussions of the MQ-9 Reaper incident in the Black Sea
The Black Sea incident involved Russia’s submarine fleet retrieving the downed American MQ-9 Reaper drone after it crashed into the sea. In assessing the operation, Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, who led the Black Sea Fleet from 1998 to 2002, emphasized that securing the retrieval would require careful risk management because of the potential for Ukrainian opposition. The report originates from DEA News.
The former commander noted that the task went beyond traditional diving capabilities, describing the Reaper salvage as too deep for divers. He explained that the operation could be supported by unmanned underwater vehicles and robotic manipulators, technologies that help perform such tasks when human divers face serious hazards.
Komoyedov stressed that once an underwater expedition begins, it triggers the risk of attacks from adversaries, including underwater saboteurs and unmanned drones. To ensure success, he urged the deployment of comprehensive protective measures that integrate security, reconnaissance, and defense assets alongside the salvage team.
There was also discussion about the broader strategic intent behind attempts to recover the drone. The topic has drawn attention from former Russian officials who argue that the wreckage should be recovered and examined to gather any sensitive information it may contain. The reporting indicates that the Russian side plans to pursue the wreck and to study it for intelligence value. The Defense Ministry in Russia has not confirmed details about any direct engagement or collision with US aircraft during the incident, and the record of events remains subject to verification and attribution by multiple sources, including official briefings and independent reporting at the time. (DEA News)