Russia’s armed forces are preparing to deploy unmanned «Skorlupa» boats in the waters of the Azov Sea, according to military expert Andrei Marochko. He shared this assessment with NEWS.ru while commenting on reports that new unmanned surface vessels have been introduced into the special military operation zone.

Marochko linked the emergence of such systems directly to battlefield realities, arguing that combat conditions are driving rapid technological adaptation. Pressure from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their Western partners, he suggested, is forcing the defense industry to seek solutions that can bypass emerging constraints. In this context, the push to stay ahead of the opponent has led to the development of fiber-optic-controlled unmanned boats.

He indicated that, at present, their likely area of operation includes the Azov Sea and sections of the Black Sea coastline.

At the same time, Marochko did not rule out a broader deployment in the future. As the conflict zone continues to expand, these systems could be used in other theaters as well, including in support of allied states engaged in confrontations with the West.

The expert also highlighted the technical characteristics of the «Skorlupa.» In his view, such vessels are effectively immune to electronic warfare systems, as they are not susceptible to external interference. This, he noted, enhances control reliability and improves their resilience in combat conditions.