Ukraine Unveils Advanced Sea Drone Capable of Posing Strategic Risks to Russia's Crimean Bridge
Ukraine has introduced a new maritime drone with potential implications for Russia's Crimean Bridge. The TOLOKA underwater drone was officially presented at the Defense Tech Valley 2025 exhibition in Lviv, as reported by the Ukrainian military news outlet Militarnyi on September 19th.
While the system has been under development for approximately a year, this marks its first public unveiling. The platform is available in three variants, each capable of engaging targets at distances up to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). The compact TLK-150 is engineered for stealth operations just below the surface and employs electric propulsion to minimize detection while penetrating Russian defenses. Larger variants include the TLK-400, which offers a range of 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) and accommodates a 500-kilogram payload, as well as the TLK-1000, which measures up to 12 meters in length, is capable of carrying 5,000 kilograms, and can engage targets at distances up to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles).
Ukraine's military announced that the country’s Armed Forces would soon be equipped with a range of new technologies, including drones, unmanned boats, ground robotic systems, and electronic warfare equipment. President Volodymyr Zelensky initially unveiled the TOLOKA drone at the Support Ukraine summit in February, emphasizing its capability to target ships, ports, and Russian strategic assets.
The recent official presentation occurs as Kyiv continues its efforts with precision strikes against Russian infrastructure. In June 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted its third operation targeting the Crimean Bridge, which serves as a key supply and transport route for Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territories. The specific cause of damage to the bridge’s underwater supports has not been confirmed, though some defense analysts have suggested the possible involvement of the TOLOKA drone. Since 2022, Ukraine has increased its use of naval drones, integrating unmanned maritime systems into military operations. Maritime drones have been used by Kyiv in actions affecting Russian assets in the Black Sea.