CNN journalists visit secret base where Ukrainian sea drones are being tested

Journalists of the American CNN television and radio company visited a secret Ukrainian military base where naval drones are being tested. Source: CNN

Details: It is noted that the base is located on the shore of a lake.

These naval drones have a sleek, gun-grey hull. Their thin design resembles a wide canoe and measures little over five metres in length.

"These naval drones, never before shown to journalists, are increasingly allowing the Ukrainians to attack and surveil the Russians in the Black Sea and on the Crimean Peninsula." The naval drone pilot, who goes by the name "Shark", showed the journalists a customised, multi-screen mission control that looks like an elaborate game console, equipped with joysticks, monitors, buttons with coverings over switches that shouldn't be accidently pushed, and labels like "blast."

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The drone's creator, who wished to remain unidentified, claimed that they only started working on the naval drones once the war started. 

"We did not have too many forces to resist the maritime state - Russia. And we needed to develop something of our own," he said. The drone's most recent iterations have a maximum weight of 1,000 kilograms, a maximum payload explosive weight of 300 kilograms, a range of 800 kilometres, and a top speed of 80 kph.

Surface drones were used in at least two recent attacks, including that on the Kerch Bridge in July and the Sevastopol port in Crimea in October, said Ukrainian defence sources who spoke to CNN. "These drones are a completely Ukrainian production. They are designed, drawn and tested here.

It's our own production of hulls, electronics and software. More than 50% of the production of equipment is here (in Ukraine)." the drones' developer says. He adds it is difficult for the Russians to hit such a small drone and detect it.

"The speed of these drones exceeds any sea craft in the Black Sea region at the moment," he added. The drones that attacked the bridge may have managed to cross the Black Sea undetected in the dark due to their speed and difficulty in being identified, notes the CNN.  The developer says it may take 5 to 10 years or more before the Russians can effectively counter this type of equipment.

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