Defense Express reported the information.A Ukrainian Sea Baby drone strike on a Russian Project 636.3 Kilo-class submarine in Novorossiysk harbor has resulted in what appears to be catastrophic damage, according to satellite imagery analysis released this week. The December 16 satellite photos, taken one day after the joint operation by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) and Naval Forces, reveal both the stricken submarine and a massive crater in the concrete pier measuring approximately 30 feet in diameter.The most telling evidence of severe damage comes from comparing the affected submarine's waterline with that of an undamaged sister ship moored on the opposite side of the pier. The attacked vessel sits notably lower in the water—more than three feet below its normal waterline—with its aft hatch now at water level. This significant change in draft strongly indicates flooding of internal compartments, suggesting breaches to both the outer hull and the critical pressure hull.The explosion's impact on the pier itself provides insight into the weapon's destructive power. The 30-foot crater in reinforced concrete, combined with the drone's detonation point approximately 40 to 45 feet from the submarine's stern, suggests the blast caused critical damage to steering mechanisms, propeller shaft, and other essential systems. Intelligence reports indicate at least two compartments have been flooded.The timing and location of the damage present significant challenges for Russian repair capabilities. Moscow faces a critical shortage of submarine repair facilities in the Black Sea region, with complex overhauls traditionally conducted only at Kronstadt on the Baltic Sea. The nearest potential repair site is the currently occupied Sevastopol shipyard, though even basic repairs there remain questionable given the extent of the damage.Defense analysts suggest Russia may opt to scrap the submarine rather than attempt repairs, particularly given the country's track record with prolonged, ultimately unsuccessful repair projects. The assessment points to the recent fate of the nuclear submarine K-132 Irkutsk, which spent 24 years under "repair and modernization" before being sent for scrap earlier this year.The submarine targeted was one of three vessels stationed in Novorossiysk: the B-265 Krasnodar, B-268 Veliky Novgorod, or B-271 Kolpino. There are also concerns that a second submarine moored several dozen meters away may have sustained collateral damage from the powerful blast.Moscow faces insurmountable logistical challenges in repairing damaged vessels, with the recent attack on a Kilo-class submarine likely resulting in a permanent loss for Russia's Black Sea Fleet.