MOSCOW has rushed out carefully framed footage of a £300million submarine, insisting it survived a world-first Ukrainian underwater drone attack unscathed.
Yet the video avoided showing the vessel’s stern, where analysts say damage is most likely.
Russian state media published the footage purporting to debunk Ukrainian claims that a submarine had been crippled at the Black Sea Fleet’s Novorossiysk naval base.
The clip shows a dark-hulled diesel submarine moored at the pier, with officials slamming the “sabotage attempt” as a complete failure.
Alexei Rulyov, head of the Black Sea Fleet’s press service said: “The enemy’s attempt to carry out sabotage using an unmanned underwater vehicle failed.
“No ships or submarines… nor their crews, were damaged. They continue to serve as usual.”
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The message was echoed by the Russian defence ministry, which accused Kyiv of spreading false information about the “destruction” of a submarine.
But independent analysts and Ukrainian-linked OSINT channels say the footage raises as many questions as it answers.
While the above-water hull appears intact, the video avoids the keel or aft underwater section — including the control surfaces and rudders.
These would have been closest to the reported explosion.
Radio Svoboda (Radio Liberty) noted although the submarine’s visible sections look undamaged, the blast occurred underwater, where shockwaves can deform or misalign propulsion and steering systems without leaving obvious external scars.
A pro-Russian Telegram channel specialising in military analysis made a similar point, stressing the key issue is whether the submarine’s aft systems — propeller shaft, rudders, or hydro acoustic equipment — were affected.
Satellite images published by Ukrainian and Western-linked outlets show clear damage to the pier at Novorossiysk following the December 15 blast.
The images indicate an explosion several dozen metres from the submarine’s mooring point — close enough to raise concerns about underwater impact.
Russian television coverage avoids showing the damaged section of the pier, focusing instead on tight shots of the submarine’s sail and forward hull.
One analyst noted. “We see the part that’s easiest to show. We don’t see the part that would actually determine whether the boat is combat-capable.”
Experts from intelligence analysis firm Maiar said the submarine’s propeller or stern gear will have likely been damaged from the blow.
Analysts from Janes, an open-source intelligence firm, also said the submarine will have been severely damaged – noting the boat is “sitting heavily at the stern”.
The explosion will have “destroyed the propeller, hydroplanes and rudder”, they said.
The vessel’s distinctive white circular hatches at either end are consistent with Russia’s improved Kilo-class submarine.
A model which can be armed with Kalibr cruise missiles, a weapon used to attack Ukrainian cities.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for the operation.
The SBU announced a Sea Baby uncrewed underwater vehicle detonated near a Project 636.3 submarine armed with Kalibr cruise missile launchers — weapons Russia routinely uses to strike Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian naval officials insist the damage was serious enough to disable the submarine, even if it did not sink.
Ukraine’s navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk said the operation was “complex and multi-layered,” adding that Novorossiysk is supposed to be one of Russia’s most secure naval bases.
Beyond the damage itself, analysts say the incident exposes a deeper vulnerability.
Russian war experts are worried a Ukrainian underwater drone freely penetrated the high-security naval base and that Kyiv had access to a camera that filmed it all.