How Ukrainian undersea drones blew up a Russian submarine - and why it matters

If the Ukrainians have indeed damaged a Kilo-class submarine, this would represent a significant outcome in both military terms and in terms of political optics,” said Dr Sidharth Kaushal, senior research fellow in Sea Power at the Royal United Services Institute. “Unlike surface ships, they cannot easily be tracked and attacked when they are patrolling.” He added that the “notable” loss worked as “useful optics in a context where Ukraine wishes to dispel the idea that it is on an irreversible trajectory towards defeat.”