On August 28, 2025, Russian naval forces executed a historic attack, deploying an uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to strike the Ukrainian Navy’s medium reconnaissance ship Simferopol at the mouth of the Danube River. The Laguna-class vessel, designed for electronic intelligence, was hit by a high-speed Russian drone, resulting in one crew member’s death and several injuries, as confirmed by Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the ship sank, though Ukraine disputes this, reporting ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath. This marks Russia’s first successful USV attack on a Ukrainian warship since the 2022 invasion, signaling a new phase in naval warfare. While Ukraine’s drones have battered Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, this strike shows Moscow’s growing prowess in unmanned tactics, escalating the conflict’s stakes in the Danube Delta.