Peter Zeihan explains how Ukraine's Sea Baby naval drones are eroding Russian control over the Black Sea.
Peter Zeihan reports that Ukraine is successfully utilizing "Sea Baby" naval drones to challenge Russian dominance in the Black Sea. These automated motor boats, equipped with half a ton of explosives, allow Ukraine to strike targets across the sea with high precision. Because jamming is less effective in open water, these drones can be remotely guided to hit the engines and propulsion systems of both standard and "shadow fleet" vessels. The drones have a range of 1,500 km, allowing them to loiter and strike almost any point in the 1,100 km long Black Sea. Russia currently lacks an effective counter to these drones, as small arms fire is often insufficient and helicopters are difficult to base on commercial ships. If this trend continues, the administration of the Russian fleet may lose significant control over shipping routes. By the end of the year, the Black Sea could become a "no go zone" for Russian exports, including oil, grain, and timber.