Russian Navy’s Grisha-Class Corvette Neutralizes Naval Drones in Pacific Fleet Exercises.

According to information published by национальная служба новостей on January 14, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the small anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ship Ust-Ilimsk, part of Project 1124 Al'batros, successfully neutralized unmanned surface and aerial drones during recent exercises. The drills took place in Avacha Bay, a key maritime zone of the Pacific Fleet.
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Russian Navy's Grisha-class corvette Ust-ilimsk. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

During the exercise, the crew detected high-speed targets approaching the entrance to Avacha Bay, home to a critical base for the Pacific Fleet. Upon identification as unmanned surface vessels, the crew engaged and destroyed the targets using heavy machine guns and automatic weapons. Aerial drones were similarly intercepted at low altitudes using the ship’s AK-630 artillery system, a rapid-fire weapon designed for close-range defense against small and fast-moving threats.

The Ust-Ilimsk demonstrated its versatility during the operation, employing its advanced arsenal to secure the fleet’s operational zones. The vessel, part of the Pacific Fleet, is specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare but is also well-suited for countering aerial and surface threats. Its armament includes a range of systems such as the Osa-MA air defense system, AK-630 and AK-176 artillery, torpedoes, and the RBU-6000 “Smerch-2” rocket launcher. These capabilities allow the ship to address modern challenges posed by unmanned systems, which are increasingly used in global naval operations.

Drone threat

The Russian Navy has encountered an unprecedented set of challenges stemming from Ukraine’s strategic and innovative use of drone technology in the ongoing conflict. Unmanned systems, particularly drones, have emerged as a key factor in naval warfare, reshaping the dynamics of power projection and maritime security. The Black Sea, long considered a strategic stronghold for Russia, has become a theater for showcasing the disruptive potential of drones.

Ukraine has effectively weaponized unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and aerial drones to target Russian naval assets and infrastructure. These drones have been employed to great effect in precision strikes, surveillance, and as a psychological tool to unsettle Russian naval operations. One of the most notable incidents involved a Ukrainian sea drone destroying a Russian Mi-8 military helicopter near Crimea, underscoring the lethality and operational flexibility of unmanned platforms. Moreover, persistent drone attacks have compelled the Russian Navy to relocate many of its ships from Sevastopol in Crimea, a critical naval hub, to ports like Novorossiysk. This strategic withdrawal highlights the profound impact that drones have had on the operational calculus of one of the world’s most formidable naval forces.