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Suspected Ukrainian Explosive Sea Drone Made From Recreational Watercraft Parts
https://news.usni.org ^ | Oct 11, 2022

Posted on 10/12/2022 3:18:08 AM PDT by 11th_VA

A small, unmanned watercraft of unknown origin washed up from the Black Sea on the shore of Crimea, near Russia’s naval base in Sevastopol, late last month.

Pictures posted on Russian social media show what appears to be a small, novel surface drone made from commercial watercraft parts laden with explosives that could explain recent Russian Navy trends to keep their warships in port over the last three weeks.

The unmanned surface vehicle was not identified by national markings, but the character of the USV and the Russian reaction to destroying the watercraft suggest that the drone originated in Ukraine.

The photographs published on social media reveal key components of the USV that give better clues to its function.

Analysis of photos of the vessel reveals that it is propelled by a recreational water jet. The waterjet has been specifically identified as closely matching a Sea-Doo design, down to the “No Step” sticker on the housing. The lines of the thrust reverser show that it is a relatively recent model, possibly a GTX or Fish Pro model, based on the images.

Sea-Doo is a Canadian manufacturer of personal watercraft. The company sells its products worldwide, aimed mostly at the civilian market. This means that a Sea-Doo would be relatively easy to source.

The external clues did not provide strong hints about the power plant. But some Sea-Doo models feature high-performance three-cylinder gasoline engines from Rotax that can drive the watercraft up to 70 miles per hour. Some recreational watercraft can be diesel or electric, but gasoline seems the most to be compatible with the Sea-Doo water jet.

Another key feature of the USV is the likely detonation method for the drone. On the bow, two projections have been provisionally identified as impact fuses. These are similar in appearance to fuses on aerial bombs, such as the Soviet-era FAB-500 family, which are still widely used today.

The fuses would likely be connected by a cable to the detonator and warhead. The size and location of the warhead is unclear, but would likely get loaded in the front half of the craft.

While personal watercraft are generally made from fiberglass, or similar materials, the explosive USV appears to be constructed from aluminum based on the appearance of the boat from the social media photos.

Last month, a Pentagon spokesman would not confirm if the USV the unidentified coastal defense USVs the United States provided to Ukraine earlier this year.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: asymmetricwarfare; falseflag; moskva; yousankmybattleship
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Don’t think that was a car bomb that did the bridge …,


1 posted on 10/12/2022 3:18:08 AM PDT by 11th_VA
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To: 11th_VA

Florida man?


2 posted on 10/12/2022 3:33:25 AM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: 11th_VA

I guess that would be “assault” recreational watercraft parts.


3 posted on 10/12/2022 3:34:48 AM PDT by jimfree (My 19 y/o granddaughter continues to have more quality exec experience than Joe Biden.)
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To: 11th_VA

Bad image link


4 posted on 10/12/2022 3:35:01 AM PDT by null and void (Can't hear the Rod Serling narration? You are not in the audience. You are a part of the story.)
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To: 11th_VA

There is speculation that such a device/vehicle was used to remotely detonate the explosive device in the truck which exploded on the Crimean Bridge.

Seen pictures and slow motion videos of such a claim.
Not entirely convinced but it is plausible.


5 posted on 10/12/2022 3:38:21 AM PDT by cranked
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To: null and void

https://news.usni.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Ukrainian-USV-Explosive-Jetski-Cutaway.jpg


6 posted on 10/12/2022 3:39:25 AM PDT by cranked
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To: 11th_VA

https://americanmediaperiscope.com/the-rods-of-god-strike-the-kerch-bridge/


7 posted on 10/12/2022 3:47:22 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (We are already in a revolutionary period, and the Rule of Law means nothing. )
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To: jimfree

Ghost boat. Sounds just as absurd as ghost gun, no?


8 posted on 10/12/2022 4:04:08 AM PDT by bigfootbob (Arm Up and Carry On!)
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To: cranked

Thanks


9 posted on 10/12/2022 4:06:57 AM PDT by null and void (Can't hear the Rod Serling narration? You are not in the audience. You are a part of the story.)
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To: null and void

Yes Sir, no problem.


10 posted on 10/12/2022 4:11:02 AM PDT by cranked
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To: 11th_VA
Hmmm, they must have 63Bs in their Army, too.
11 posted on 10/12/2022 4:12:14 AM PDT by Feckless (The US Gubbmint / This Tagline CENSORED by FR \ IrOnic, ain't it?)
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To: 11th_VA

It was the truck bomb, on the road.

A water-level attack MIGHT have taken out a pier, at water level, (MIGHT, depending on amount of explosive, configuration, placement, etc.), but the damage clearly was from above, to the roadway, and the side-flash of the elevated explosion ignited the tanker cars on the adjoining RR bridge.

In my younger days as a UDT/SEAL, I have been on the beach and in the water with small groups that, combined, blew up tons and tons of C-4 and TNT, any way you can imagine. Including making our own shaped charges, platter charges, etc. From little one-pound devices to a ton at a time. Often using high explosives in industrial quantities as a raw material, for custom applications (in training only.)

I just mention the above as bona fides. I know what I’m talking about.


12 posted on 10/12/2022 4:20:15 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Libloather

LOL! My thoughts too!


13 posted on 10/12/2022 4:21:40 AM PDT by rrrod (6)
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To: cranked

See 12.

I have no doubt the Ukrainians are moving down many parallel lines attempting to take out that bridge and other naval and infrastructure targets on the Black Sea.

But last week’s bridge blast was a truck bomb on the roadway.


14 posted on 10/12/2022 4:21:51 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Travis McGee

“But last week’s bridge blast was a truck bomb on the roadway.”

Yeah, my current take, as well.

I just mentioned what I did cause it was/is part of many speculations that exist.


15 posted on 10/12/2022 4:25:36 AM PDT by cranked
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To: 11th_VA

Don’t know about y’all, but “Ukraine built this” was totally my first thought when I saw a picture of a professionally manufactured drone bomb with no identifying markings. Didn’t think CIA for a second.


16 posted on 10/12/2022 4:29:46 AM PDT by jz638
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To: cranked
At the top of the list, but requiring a state actor to back it (way beyond Ukraine's capability) are UUVs.

But even while they are great for attacking an unprotected very long pipeline, a target like the Crimea Bridge will have every kind of underwater defenses. Mini-subs won't get anywhere near it. And the only nation that would even try it, in the Black Sea, is the US Navy, and they would not risk having frogmen captured or killed and displayed.

17 posted on 10/12/2022 4:39:47 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: Travis McGee
I just mention the above as bona fides.

Sure, Comrade Travis.

18 posted on 10/12/2022 5:05:12 AM PDT by Timber Rattler ("To hold a pen is to be at war." --Voltaire)
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To: 11th_VA

Boom goes the converted swimming pool cleaner.


19 posted on 10/12/2022 5:05:16 AM PDT by Candor7 (ObamaFascism:https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html)
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To: Travis McGee

Agreed.


20 posted on 10/12/2022 5:07:55 AM PDT by Candor7 (ObamaFascism:https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html)
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