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☆ A Russian helicopter fought an unusual Ukrainian drone armed with heat-seeking missiles, war watchers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ukraine used exploding drone boats to attack Russian naval assets on Monday. AdvertisementUkraine appears to be arming its naval drones with heat-seeking missiles to defend against air attacks, an unusual innovation for Kyiv's growing arsenal of explosive unmanned systems. Equipping the Ukrainian drones with this kind of air-combat munition could help them defend against aerial attacks, war watchers suspect. In the Black Sea, Russian forces spotted a Ukrainian USV armed with a twin rail launcher for R-73 all-aspect IR homing air-to-air missiles. Monday's naval drone attack marked the latest strike on a Russian naval asset.

Persons: —, 🐈🇺 Organizations: Service, br Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Crimean, Moscow, Ukrainian, Crimea, Kherson

☆ Satellite images capture how Russia is shielding its warships in port from threats like Ukraine's exploding drone boats
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Satellite images show Russia has placed barriers at its ports to defend the Black Sea Fleet. AdvertisementNewly captured satellite imagery shows Russia has put up barriers at a major port to defend its Black Sea Fleet warships from Ukraine's unrelenting exploding drone boat attacks. An overview of the Novorossiysk port in Russia on March 30. A closer view of barriers at the entrance of the Novorossiysk port in Russia on March 30. Advertisement"Forcing the enemy to flee from the Black Sea was the goal we sought and it was achieved," Brig.

Persons: —, Brady Africk, Africk, Atesh, Sergei Shoigu, Sergei Pinchuk, Pinchuk, Ivan Lukashevych Organizations: Fleet, Service, Maxar Technologies, Business, Technologies, American Enterprise Institute, Kyiv, Black, Kyiv Independent, Defense Intelligence, Kremlin, Russian, Security Service, BI Locations: Russia, Kyiv, Novorossiysk, Sevastopol, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Moscow, British, Sevastopol Bay, Brig

☆ A new commander is taking over Russia's Black Sea Fleet after the last one let its warships get torn apart by exploding drones
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewRussia has officially replaced the commander of the Black Sea Fleet, awarding Vice Adm. Sergei Pinchuk the daunting role of overseeing naval operations in a region that has long troubled Moscow. Pinchuk is a career navy officer who previously served as the deputy to Adm. Viktor Sokolov, the former Black Sea Fleet commander. Russia's Black Sea Fleet warships take part in the Navy Day celebrations in the port city of Novorossiysk on July 30, 2023. Beyond its USV force, Kyiv has also used missiles to inflict damage on the Black Sea Fleet. You realize the enormous responsibility that rests on you," Shoigu said during the teleconference, according to the Russian defense ministry's statement.

Persons: —, Sergei Pinchuk, Sergei Shoigu, Pinchuk, Viktor Sokolov, Sokolov, Shoigu, STRINGER, Aleksandr Moiseyev —, Konstantin Kabantsov Organizations: Service, Black, Fleet, Business, Russian, Black Sea, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, Armed Forces, National Defense Control Center, AP, Ukrainian, Getty, Kyiv, Northern, Russian Federation, Ministry of Defense Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Novorossiysk, Sevastopol, Crimean, Russian

☆ US Navy warships can defeat exploding naval drones today, but these deadly systems are evolving
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-23 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Ukraine has found success at sea by using naval drones packed with explosive to batter Russia. AdvertisementIn two conflicts separated by more than 1,000 miles, US friends and foes alike have turned to a deadly weapon to defeat their enemy's warships: small naval drones packed with explosives. The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts flight operations in response to Houthi activity in the Red Sea on Feb. 23. In other words, there are ways that warships can protect against, evade, and ultimately defeat naval drones. Naval drones can potentially carry a large payload, and if they manage to get through undetected and hit a ship, "there could be significant damage."

Persons: —, Bradley Martin, Sam Tangredi, Ivan Lukashevych, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Tangredi, Archer Macy, Russia hasn't, Sergey Kotov, Macy, USVs, Martin, They're, Arleigh Burke, John Finn, Lewis, Clark, Cesar Chavez, AKE, Justin Stack, Shaan Shaikh, Shaikh Organizations: Former US Navy, Service, US Navy, AP, BI, Security Service, Former Navy, US, Sea Fleet, Ministry of Defense, Navy, Aircraft, Seahawk, Ruskin, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Yemen, Europe, Kyiv, Brig, Screengrab, Iran, —, Russian, Ukrainian, Crimea, Handout, Pacific, China, Washington, Beijing, Pearl, East China, they're

☆ A Russian warship's last-resort machine-gun fire wasn't enough to defeat the Ukrainian sea drone assault that sunk it, video shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A newly surfaced video shows armed Russian crews attempting to defend a landing ship from Ukrainian sea drones. Russia has been upping its defenses against naval drones, but it's unclear how effective they are. AdvertisementA newly surfaced video shows a Russian warship crew making their last stand against Ukraine's exploding sea drones. The Ukrainian drones targeted and destroyed Black Sea Fleet warships, a section of the Kerch Bridge connecting occupied Crimea with Russia, attacked bases, and went after other key infrastructure in and around the Black Sea. New look at a Ukrainian Sea Baby USV, this one christened “Avdiivka”.

Persons: —, Caesar Kunikov, 4XYsK2WFPY, 🇺🇦🇷🇺, Ker Organizations: Service, Telegram, USVs, unm, unc Locations: Russian, Russia, Ukraine

☆ Going after Russian warships feels like 'hunting prey,' says a Ukrainian general overseeing exploding naval drone operations
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has relied heavily on its arsenal of naval drones to cause headaches for Russia's Black Sea Fleet. AdvertisementFor at least one Ukrainian general, going after Russian warships with exploding drone boats is more than just hitting the enemy. To compensate for this deficiency, the country sought to develop what it calls "the world's first fleet of naval drones." These deadly systems were first introduced in 2022 as Kyiv looked to weaken Moscow's grip on the Black Sea. "We analyzed how best to get to the Russian fleet; what means and methods would be appropriate.

Persons: —, Ivan Lukashevych, Lukashevych, we'd, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, Security Service, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital, Defense Intelligence, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, AP, Black Locations: Ukraine, Brig, Kyiv, Moscow, Sevastopol, Crimean, Novorossiysk, Russia

☆ Machine guns and combat aircraft aren't enough to stop Ukraine's drone boats from killing Russian warships, general says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

"The adversary immediately began to respond to the threat of naval drones, but we are still a few steps ahead," Brig. AdvertisementUkraine's Sea Baby drones have been used in devastating attacks, targeting Russian warships and infrastructure — including a key bridge — around the Black Sea. "Their planes and combat helicopters are constantly patrolling the coastline and waters of the western Black Sea." Russia's Black Sea Fleet warships take part in the Navy Day celebrations in the port city of Novorossiysk on July 30, 2023. The general added that "forcing the enemy to flee from the Black Sea was the goal we sought and it was achieved."

Persons: —, Ivan Lukashevych, Lukashevych, STRINGER Organizations: Service, Sea Fleet, Security Service, Kyiv, Business, Ukrainian, Reuters, Black, Getty, Russian Locations: Russian, Moscow, Ukraine, Brig, Russia, Novorossiysk, Crimean, Sevastopol

☆ Ukraine made the naval drones sinking Russian warships 'deadlier' by arming them with bigger warheads, general says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewExploding drone boats, one of Ukraine's more innovative weapons as it battles Russia's Black Sea Fleet without a proper navy, have become even bigger threats over time. Ukrainian naval drones have been used to damage and sink Russian warships, as well as target infrastructure, since their introduction in 2022. Advertisement"Especially compared to the ones we first tested in October 2022 to attack Russian warships in the Sevastopol Bay," he said. In a straight line across the Black Sea, it is roughly 190 miles between the two cities. A screenshot from the video released by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency of the sea drone attack against two Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels.

Persons: —, Ivan Lukashevych, hasn't, Lukashevych Organizations: Service, Business, Security Service, Directorate of Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, Russia, Ukraine, Defense Intelligence, Fleet, Black Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Brig, Sevastopol, Russian, Kyiv, Crimean, Russia, Moscow, Crimea's, Crimea

☆ U.S. and British strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen answer militants’ surge in Red Sea attacks on ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets launched from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, which is currently in the Red Sea, officials said. President Joe Biden and other senior leaders have repeatedly warned that the U.S. won't tolerate the Houthi attacks against commercial shipping. During normal operations, about 400 commercial vessels transit the southern Red Sea at any given time. The Rubymar, a British-registered, Lebanese-operated cargo vessel, was attacked while sailing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Associated Press, relying on satellite images from Planet Labs PBC of the stricken vessel, reported Tuesday that the vessel was leaking oil in the Red Sea.

Persons: Dwight D, Lloyd Austin, Grant Shapps, Shapps, Joe Biden, haven't, We've, Sabrina Singh, we've, Mason, Abdul Malik al, Hope Organizations: US Coast Guard, US Central Command, U.S, Eisenhower, Defense, Yemeni Armed Forces, RAF, Islander, Hamas, Houthi, Aden , U.S . Central Command, Central Command, Khorfakkan, United, Command, Associated Press, Planet Labs PBC Locations: Iran, Yemen, Tampa , Florida, United States, U.S, Gulf of Aden, British, Red, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Gaza, Aden , U.S, Asia, Europe, Africa, Suez, Mandeb, Gulf, Aden, Palau, Belize, Lebanese, Bulgaria, United Arab Emirates

☆ The Houthis have deployed underwater drones in the Red Sea, Defense Department says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Houthi fighters have deployed underwater drones in the Red Sea, the Defense Department said. Underwater drones are an "extremely lethal" threat to the US Navy, an admiral told the AP. The US launched five "self-defense" strikes on Houthi positions on Saturday, the DoD said. AdvertisementThe US Defense Department said American forces in the Red Sea for the first time spotted and struck an underwater drone deployed by Houthi fighters on Saturday. CENTCOM, the central command for the US Department of Defense, said the United States launched "self-defense" strikes on Saturday against "three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and one unmanned surface vessel (USV)" in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and the Red Sea.

Persons: — Organizations: Defense Department, US Navy, AP, US, DoD, Service, US Defense Department, Houthi, US Department of Defense, Business Locations: Red, United States, Houthi, Yemen

☆ US Says Its Forces Strike Unmanned Surface Vessel, Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Near Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

(Reuters) - U.S. forces conducted two strikes against a mobile anti-ship cruise missile and a mobile unmanned surface vessel (USV) launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday. Four anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Houthi-held areas over the Red Sea towards commercial ship MT Pollux between Friday at 1:15 p.m. local time and 1 a.m. on Saturday, CENTCOM said in a post on X. It added that there were no reported injuries or damage to the MT Pollux or any other vessel in the areas. War in Israel and Gaza View All 209 Images(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; editing by Mark Heinrich)

Persons: CENTCOM, Surbhi Misra, Mark Heinrich Organizations: Reuters, U.S . Central Command, Houthi Locations: Yemen, Red, Israel, Gaza, Bengaluru

The rebels have said they will continue firing on commercial and military vessels transiting the region until Israel ceases its military operations inside Gaza. The Eisenhower has been on patrol here since Nov. 4, and its accompanying ships have been on location for even longer, since October. The carriers’ F/A-18 fighter jets are also frequently launched to take out missile sites they detect before munitions are fired. “That’s one of the most scary scenarios, to have a bomb-laden, unmanned surface vessel that can go in pretty fast speeds. That pace has meant the ships have spent four months at a constant combat pace with no days off with a port call.

Persons: DWIGHT D, EISENHOWER, — Sailors, Dwight D, Eisenhower, ”, Marc Miguez, ” Miguez, Mason, Carney, Marvin Scott, Miguez, “, you’re, Christopher “ Chowdah, Hill, ” Hill, “ It’s, Joselyn Martinez, ” Martinez, ” ___ Copp, Armangue Organizations: —, Saudi, U.S, Navy, intel, Carrier, Al, U.S . Navy, Associated Press, Eisenhower, Washington , D.C Locations: Iranian, Ahli, Gaza, Israel, Red, Bab, Gulf of Aden, Washington ,

☆ CNN took an 11-day cruise through some of the most-contested waters on Earth. Here’s what we learned
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

China claims almost all of the 1.3 million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. In daylight hours in the South China Sea, from Ottawa’s flight deck or outdoor bridge wings, Chinese warships are often visible to the naked eye. Aviator Gregory Cole/Canadian Armed Forces PhotoOn October 29, things take a potentially dangerous turn, one that could have cost lives and ratcheted up tensions in the South China Sea to new levels. Radar operators scan their instruments in a Canadian antisubmarine warfare helicopter over the East China Sea. Hammerhead targets drones await their fate on the deck of the frigate HMCS Ottawa in the South China Sea.

Persons: Sam Patchell, Jacob Broderick ,, Ben Hughes, Gregory Cole, he’s, “, King Neptune, Xi Jinping, Brad Lendon, Rafael Peralta, Collin Koh, ” Patchell, Patchell, Aviator Gregory Cole, ”, haven’t, Xi, Rob Millen, they’d, Long, Peralta, It’s, Qinetiq, Noble, That’s, Cmdr, Sean Milley, Christine Hurov, Wally Shirra, it’s, Wally Schirra, Loverboy’s, Australia’s, doesn’t, We’ll Organizations: HMCS, HMCS Ottawa CNN, Royal Canadian Navy, Canada, United, Naval Warfare Officers, Canadian Armed Forces, US Navy, Ottawa, CNN, Canada’s Defense Ministry, Chinese Communist Party, Coast Guard, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, People’s Liberation Army Navy, PLA Navy, United Nations, Ottawa's, Cyclone, Canadian, Royal Canadian Air Force, Chinese Defense Ministry, Pentagon, troika, Peralta, Brisbane, CNN Radio, New, New Zealand Navy’s, Cmdr, HMNZS Aotearoa, Australian, Southern Hemisphere, One Locations: HMCS Ottawa, Taiwan, Ottawa, China, United States, Canadian, South China, Gaza, Ukraine, East, Washington, Singapore, Beijing, Spratly, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Chinese, South, East China, CNN Beijing, Canada, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Australian, Brisbane, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Okinawa, replenishments, Aotearoa, American, Ottawa’s

☆ Russian naval ships struck by exploding drone boats in the night sank to the bottom of the Black Sea, Ukraine says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine says its sea drones hit and sank two Russian Black Sea Fleet landing ships. Ukraine has relied on its fleet of explosive drone boats to trouble Russian ships in the Black Sea. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine's explosive sea drones have struck again, and this time, Kyiv says they struck and sank two ships belonging to Russia's Black Sea Fleet (BSF). The hit has again raised questions about Russia's ability to protect its Black Sea Fleet from Ukraine. Elsewhere in the Black Sea this week, a Russian anti-radar missile slammed into a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, killing one person and injuring four more.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Fleet, Defense Ministry, Sig, Security Service, Ukraine Telegram, Russian, Institute for, Liberian Locations: Ukraine, Crimea, Kyiv, Russian, Crimean, Novorossiysk, Kerch, Russia, Ukrainian, Washington, Moscow

☆ Brand-new Russian warship hit by Ukraine is so badly damaged that it is likely out of the action for the foreseeable future, war analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine struck a brand new Russian warship in Crimea, and experts say the ship likely won't be operable any time soon. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine struck a brand new Russian warship far behind enemy lines, analysts say, likely rendering it inoperable for the foreseeable future. They have damaged or destroyed several Black Sea Fleet ships, and in this case, they took a Russian ship out of action before it could even be commissioned. Like many of its previous attacks in and around occupied Crimea, Ukraine's strikes on the Askold were likely conducted by Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles, observers said. The missiles were likely also used in a recent bombardment of Sevastopol that damaged two warships and surrounding shipyard facilities in September.

Persons: —, Storm, Ukraine's USVs, ISW Organizations: Service, Russian, The Institute, Ukraine, Black, Fleet Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Crimea, Kerch, Ukrainian, France, Sevastopol, Russia

☆ Video shows a US Navy drone boat firing off its own exploding drone in the Middle East, a first for the unmanned vessels
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US Navy said its drone boats fired lethal weaponry for the first time in the Middle East. Footage of one of the engagements shows Navy personnel operating the drone boat in the open waters. The USV then fires one of the munitions, which includes a first-person view of its trajectory into the simulated target, causing it to detonate on impact. Navy officials said the exercise was designed to advance the lethality and combat potential of drone boats, and future events could broaden the arsenal of these unmanned systems. Beyond drone boats, the Pentagon has taken other measures in recent months to boost deterrence in the region like dispatching an assortment of fighter jets and warships to the area.

Persons: —, Ray USV, Devil Ray, NAVCENT, Brad Cooper, Cmdr, Dre Johnson, Jonathan Nye, Justin Stumberg Organizations: US Navy, Navy, Service, US Naval Forces Central Command, . Naval Forces Central Command’s, Digital, Missile System, U.S . Naval Forces Central Command’s, Mass, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Pentagon Locations: Arabian, U.S, Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Persian, Iran, American

☆ The US Navy turned the tables on Iran, sending drones that look like speedboats to spy on its warships and troublesome gunboats
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. US Navy photoAn undated still image released on Oct. 6 from video taken by an Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel of an Iranian Navy AB-212 helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz. AdvertisementAdvertisementOther images from the September operation that were released by the US Navy on Friday showed an IRGCN warship and an Iranian Navy frigate. An L3Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel sails in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 22, during exercise Neon Defender 23. US Navy photoA MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel operates in the Gulf of Aqaba, Mar.

Persons: —, NAVCENT, Joe Baggett, Ray USV, Brad Cooper, Cooper, Arleigh Burke, Alexus, Grynkewich, they'll Organizations: US Navy, Navy, Service, Washington, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, US Naval Forces Central Command, Iranian, Fleet, Iranian Navy, Arabian Fox, US Marines, Coast Guard, Pentagon, Bataan, Ready, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, US Air Forces Central Command, Defense Writers Locations: Tehran, Hormuz, Persian, Gulf of Oman, Iran, Arabian, Panama, Strait, Iranian Navy, Iranian, NAVCENT, Gulf, Aqaba, Mar

☆ Russia's attempt to shield its bombers from Ukrainian attacks with car tires is just the latest in a string of makeshift defenses
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

New photos show Russia shielding its Tu-95 bomber jets from missiles with rows of car tires. It's the latest entry in a long list of jury-rigged Russian defenses and force protection measures. Russia recently put cages on its tanks and sunk ships along a key bridge as last-ditch defenses. Close-up analysis concluded that the patches were individual car tires, The Drive first reported, likely meant to confuse incoming Ukrainian missiles, such as the R-360 Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles that Ukraine has modified to hit land targets. That random assortment of defenses for Kerch Bridge speaks less to a cohesive strategy and more to Russia scrambling to protect against the growing threat of Ukrainian drone boat attacks.

Persons: Engels, it's, logistically, Mary, Russia's Organizations: Service, LB Locations: Russia, Wall, Silicon, Saratov, Russian, Ukraine, Kerch, Crimea, Ukrainian

☆ Ukraine has a key bridge in its sights, and Russia is throwing whatever it can, from sunken ships to smoke screens, into trying to defend it
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia has set up a number of defenses to protect the Kerch Bridge from Ukrainian drone boat attacks. The protective measures include using smoke screens, sunken ships, and containment booms, intelligence indicates. The Kerch Bridge is a key supply and logistics line and a symbol of its influence over Crimea. The new defensive strategies for protecting the Kerch Bridge include purposefully sunken ships, smoke generators, and containment booms, among other things, according to Western intelligence. That has made the Kerch Bridge a symbol of Russian oppression of Ukraine and a key target for Ukrainian forces.

Persons: It's, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: Service, Getty, Ukrainian Locations: Russia, Kerch, Ukrainian, Crimea, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, AFP, Kerch Strait

☆ Russia sank ships to protect a key bridge from Ukraine's naval drones. It might not be enough to keep the small exploding vessels from hitting their targets.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia is sinking ships to protect the Kerch Bridge to Crimea from Ukraine's naval drones. The barrier is estimated to be less than a mile in length — a small fraction of the massive 12-mile-long bridge. The ships Russia appears to be sinking were destined for the scrapyard, but could have been valuable for recycling parts. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn July, an explosion apparently caused by a surface drone rocked a section of the Kerch Bridge, wrecking the roadbed and killing two adults. With Crimea being among the most important territory for Kyiv to reclaim in the war, the Kerch Bridge is an important bond to sever.

Persons: Bryan Clark, —, Clark, Vladimir Putin, STRINGER Organizations: Service, Twitter, Russian Navy, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Getty, Russian, Kremlin, Ukrainian, Sig Locations: Russia, Kerch, Crimea, Wall, Silicon, Ukraine, AFP, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Russian, Novorossiysk

☆ Exploding drone boats aren't hard to beat, but Russia's weak defenses are letting Ukraine blow up its ships
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Ukraine's recent waterborne drone attacks have shed light on weaknesses in Russian defenses. Prior to the hits on Olenegorsky Gornyak and Sig, previous naval drone attacks have terrorized Russian ships in the Black Sea. United 24/Ukrainian government'Too many to take out'With the drone attacks showing no sign of stopping, the questions become how Russia will respond. And if Russia does ramp up its defenses, it's likely that Ukraine will scale up the number of its drone boats. Operating a group of drone boats, Clark added, is more difficult given water conditions, weather, and the potential to ram into unintended targets.

Persons: Sutton, Gornyak, haven't, they're, Bryan Clark, Ulf Mauder, Clark, Shaposhnikov, Peter the, KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV Organizations: Service, Sig, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Russia's, Getty, intel Locations: Wall, Silicon, Russian, Russia, Novorossiysk, Ukraine, Sevastopol, Ukrainian, US, Persian, Israel, Peter the Great, Japan, Vladivostok, AFP, Crimea

☆ Ukraine doesn't have much of a navy, but it's found a way to hunt down the 'weakest links' in Russia's critical sea supply lanes, UK intel says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukrainian drones are attacking Russian ships and tankers, wrecking critical sea supply lanes. It's the latest incident involving Ukrainian sea drones hitting vital Russian naval targets, weakening sea supply lanes and proving Kyiv to be a scrappy, formidable naval force while lacking an actual fleet beyond some patrol boats. "The attacks show that USV operations are increasingly a major component of modern naval warfare and can be turned against the weakest links of Russia's sea supply lanes," the UK intel update said. Ukraine has made the development of sea drones a priority, even crowdfunding for what they call "the formation of the world's first naval fleet of drones." An expert previously told Insider the remotely operated, cheap-but-effective waterborne drones give Ukraine an "asymmetric advantage," stressing Russian defenses and resources.

Persons: Sig, Ukraine's USVs Organizations: UK intel, Kyiv, Service, Ukraine, UK Ministry of Defense, intel Locations: Russian, Kerch, UK, Wall, Silicon, Russia, Syria, Ukraine

☆ Union Square Ventures slashed the value of 7 of its funds by 26%. Insiders say this will be the 'start of a cascade' of lower valuations for VC funds.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Ben Bergman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Union Square Ventures is widely considered to be one of the top performing venture firms of all time. USV marked down seven of its funds by nearly 26% this year, a far steeper writedown than other firms. Union Square Ventures — an early backer of Robinhood, Coinbase, and Etsy— is widely considered to be one of the top performing venture firms of all time. Venture firms are required to value their holdings at fair market value, but assessing the value of illiquid assets leaves considerable room for discretion. USV's 2004 fund returned more than $305 million in cash from a $22 million UTIMCO investment, with an IRR of 66%.

Persons: USV, —, VCs, Vincent Harrison, Combinator, Fred Wilson, Wilson Organizations: Square Ventures, Union Square Ventures, UTIMCO, University of Texas, Venture, Bay, Sequoia, Twitter, Zynga Locations: Robinhood, Texas, USV

☆ Russia is painting dark stripes on its warships to make them look smaller and confuse Ukrainian drones, says expert
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia is painting some of its warships with camouflage stripes, an open-source analyst said. The ship might also appear smaller thanks to the dark paint against the water. In his own analysis, Sutton noted how dark the water often appears in such imagery, making it an effective camouflage for dark paint. The use of naval camouflage would be an interesting return for a tactic more associated with World War 1 and World War 2. The British navy pioneered the use of "dazzle" stripes and patterns in World War 1, as seen below on the USS Minneapolis, which were intended to confuse onlookers as to the speed and direction of vessels.

Persons: —, Sutton, KCHF.ru, Ivan Golubets, Sidharth, Kaushal, It's, Bismarck Organizations: Service, London's Royal United Services Institute, Russian Ministry of Defense, USS, Getty Locations: Russia, Russian, Sevastopol, Ukraine, Soviet, British, USS Minneapolis, Minneapolis, Hampton Roads , Virginia, USA, German

☆ Venture capitalists have never been more divided, with accusations flying over who killed their beloved bank SVB. How long will the bad blood last?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Ben Bergman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But in the past week, VCs aired their dirty laundry for all the world to see. Still, VCs say they have no choice but to set aside their differences and work together in the future. "Silicon Valley Bank was such a great friend of VCs for so many years that it was just really disappointing to see so many VCs work so quickly to kill it." But in the past week, VCs aired their dirty laundry for all the world to see, criticizing those who they say triggered a $42 billion bank run that doomed SVB. There's been particular animus for Founder's Fund, the venture firm founded by billionaire Peter Thiel that backed Facebook and Airbnb.

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