Priority Broadcast Alert – Europe and the Mediterranean

A Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) exploded and killed five Russian naval special forces personnel in the Bay of Novorossiysk, Russia. The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) stated that the USV had been disabled by Russian electronic warfare assets during a previous GUR attack on Novorossiysk, which left the USV drifting in the Bay. Russian forces reportedly dispatched five personnel from the Russian Navy’s “Combat against Underwater Incursion Forces and Devices” (PDSS) special forces to recover the USV. The GUR stated that during the recovery operation, the USV detonated, killing all five PDSS personnel. Ambrey is aware that pressure-triggered USVs used by Ukrainian forces are known to carry payloads of up to 350 kg, posing a significant hazard. An encounter between a merchant vessel and an adrift USV could result in extensive damage to the vessel. Based on AIS data, Ambrey observed 37 merchant vessels in Novorossiysk Port when the incident occurred. However, Ambrey is aware that merchant vessels regularly withhold AIS and are subject to electronic warfare disturbances when calling at Russian Black Sea ports.

ADVICE: Vessels conducting Black Sea port calls are advised to conduct comprehensive dynamic voyage threat assessments. If encountering a USV, the crew is advised to remain within the designated Safe Muster Point (SMP) until there is no further risk to the vessel. The SMP should be located above the waterline, amidships.