H I Sutton Profile picture
Feb 10, 2023 9 tweets 4 min read Read on X
***BREAKING***

Reported attack by #Russian maritime drone on Zatoka Bridge, Ukraine, Feb 10, 2023

This is significant. Thread 1 /8
#OSINT Attack by maritime drone
2 /8
Video of the bridge being attacked is being widely shared on social media. This appears credible.

What follows is a hot take, caveats apply

3 /8
Some reports say it was an "underwater drone". I think that actually it is an explosives laden uncrewed surface vessel (USV)

This is the same concept that #Ukraine used so effectively against Russia in late last year

The Ukrainian one, from hisutton.com/Ukraine-Mariti… Image
4 /8
This is a major new development, #Russia was not known to have these types of drones, or to think in these terms

Even if the attack did limited damage (as reported) it is a major new threat for Ukraine
5 /8
The bridge is a strategic link between Ukraine and Moldova/Romania and has been targeted by Russia before, but with limited success

Previously in April 2022, missile strikes: Image
6 /8

A large number of small fast boats were active around Sevastopol earlier today. Many were likely guarding Russian warships used to launch Kalibr missiles on Ukraine from Ukrainian USVs.

But some might have been these USVs. Possibly
7 /8
#Ukraine's USVs appear to use StarLink from Space X for real-time control

However Space X has taken steps to prevent Ukraine using the technology in "drones"

This is a significant blow for Ukraine's military

bbc.com/news/world-eur…
8 / 8

If Russia is able to use these explosive drones against Ukrainian coastal targets, but Ukraine can no longer attack Russian warships in the same way, we may see another shift in the war in the Black Sea. This time in Russia's favor again.
9 /8

Afterthought: one scenario to watch for is Russia using them against merchant shipping going to Ukraine under the grain deal and then denying it and blaming Ukrainian drones and/or mines

Previous suspected Russian attack on merchant ship off Ukraine, Feb 2022: Image

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More from @CovertShores

Aug 8
Thread 🧵

**NAVY DECOY SHIPS AND DECEPTION**

Always an interesting topic, we all know about inflatable fake tanks, but it can happen with ships too.

Firstly, fake ships before D-Day:
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During WW2 the royal Navy converted some fleet tenders to resemble battleships and a carrier, with the idea being to deceive German Luftwaffe reconnaissance flights.
Before/ after (might be exact same ship, but you get the idea)
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The old battleship HMS Centurion was also remodeled to appear as the newer ship HMS
Anson

Before, after:
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Read 13 tweets
Jul 22
2 years ago this month in Russo-Ukraine war in Black Sea, JULY 2022

Short thread 🧵 from

Prelude: June 30 Russia withdraws from Snake Island. The island is strategically located near Ukrainian coast and shipping lanes

#OSINT hisutton.com/Timeline-2022-…

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Snake island had been subject to air strikes but Ukraine had also started using MLRS from barges at sea and it was in range of new 155mm artillery being delivered by West, especially the French Caesar system


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In July 2022, faced with threat of Ukraine’s Neptune anti-ship missiles, and western supplies Harpoons (notably Denmark), Russian navy largely withdraw from western side of northern Black Sea. This is a significant change in the balance.
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Read 8 tweets
Jun 28
Top 10 tanks thread🧵

According to my inexpert opinion

10. M60A2 'Starship', USA 🇺🇸
If you don't like this tank, you are going to hate this thread


M60A2 tank
M60A2 tank
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M60A1E2 tank
9.
VT 1-1 tank destroyer, West Germany 🇩🇪 Image
8.
Strv-74, Sweden 🇸🇪
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Read 12 tweets
Jun 15
I don't normally post about aircraft, but here are 5 awesome and usual loadouts from the Cold War which really interest me from a design perspective.

In descending order of awesomeness

5. A-5 Vigilante US Navy bomber with nuclear bomb up backside


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4. English Electric Lightning. Awesome fighter, could carry ferry tanks in the overwing position. Hard to find photos of this, but it could also carry twin SNEB rocket pods above each with, with fuel tanks behind them (!).
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3. Ilyushin Il-102, which lost out to the now-famous Su-25 FROGFOOT. Aside from rad lines and rear-facing aft cockpit, check out the tail gun!

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Read 9 tweets
Apr 21
**BREAKING**
Thread 🧵

#Ukrainian strike on #Russian Navy base at Sevastopol in Crimea appears to have damaged, possibly seriously (TBC), the submarine support ship Kommuna (ref ) hisutton.com/Russian-Navy-K…
Kommuna, ship cutaway
Video
Kommuna gets a degree of sympathy because she is an ancient and beautiful ship, 112 years old(!).

But objectively she is a legitimate target and provides Russian navy with valuable capabilities. She often participates in submarine trials and can conduct seabed warfare Image
Read 6 tweets
Apr 18
***UPDATE***

First images of Australia’s new 3D printed extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV), the Ghost Shark. 🧵 Image
This is the previous graphic shared by manufacturer Andruil, when the deal for 3 vehicles was announced. See hisutton.com/Australian-Nav…
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The design has a square cross-section which contrasts with the rounded form of the previous artworks. This maximizes volume for its given outer dimensions

Crucially, it can still likely fit inside a standard shipping container, an advantage over larger types like the Boeing Orca used by U.S. NavyImage
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Read 5 tweets

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