Images released on 11/5 show a protective covering over most of the upper deck of a Project 21980 anti-sabotage patrol boat belonging to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This covering extends over the bow, superstructure, and stern. The antenna mast remains uncovered and protrudes above the structure. The sides of the vessel lack protective netting, ensuring normal combat operations such as firing weapons, deploying high-speed boats, and docking. However, Thomas Newdick, an editor for the US military news site War Zone, suggested that the roof might partially hinder the effectiveness of the ship's weapons.

A Project 21980 patrol boat with anti-drone netting in an image released on 11/5. *War Zone*

Rybar, a social media account linked to the Russian military and often serving as an alternative source to official Moscow statements, indicated that these modifications stem from the realization that sheltering naval vessels in enclosed facilities is no longer effective, especially following a series of recent attacks on the Novorossiysk base. Rybar added, "Anti-sabotage ships are using roof coverings based on older designs, similar to those installed on tanks since 2022. This component does not offer much help against highly maneuverable drones that can slip into gaps. This is merely a temporary solution."

According to Newdick, the protective netting on Russian patrol boats also fails to address the threat posed by unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), weapons Ukraine has repeatedly employed to attack enemy warships.

Russia designed the Project 21980 patrol boats to counter enemy sabotage groups, which typically operate in waters near naval bases. Russia began building these class ships in 2008 and first commissioned them in 2009, with a total of 28 vessels having been produced.

Project 21980 boats have a displacement of nearly 140 tons, are over 31 m long, and can reach a maximum speed of 43 km/h, with an operational endurance of 5 days. They are equipped with a 14,5 mm caliber machine gun, a DP-64 anti-sabotage grenade launcher, a DP-65 remote-controlled rocket launcher, and an Igla man-portable air-defense system with 4 rounds.

By Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, Zvezda, AFP, AP)