Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed deploying the nation's unmanned suicide vessels (USVs) to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, drawing parallels to Kyiv's successful operations in the Black Sea. In a recorded message shared with the press on 30/3, Zelensky stated this idea is part of several defense cooperation agreements Ukraine plans to sign with Middle Eastern nations. He emphasized the urgency of the issue, calling it a global concern amid the ongoing energy crisis, and highlighted confidence in Ukraine's expertise.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in The Hague, Netherlands, on 16/12/2025. Photo: AFP |
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime artery, has faced a near-total blockade by Iran following recent conflicts with the US and Israel. This choke point, responsible for transporting 20% of the world's oil supply, has driven a sharp increase in global energy prices. Previous calls by US President Donald Trump for allies to deploy warships to open the strait went unanswered, largely due to the high risk involved. Warships in the strait are particularly vulnerable to attacks from Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
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The Strait of Hormuz is located between Oman and Iran. Photo: Stocktrek |
Zelensky believes USVs offer a viable solution to this deadlock. Ukraine has achieved military success in the Black Sea using these vessels, despite the Russian navy's overwhelming superiority. This experience provides a blueprint for their potential effectiveness in other contested waters.
Ukraine's domestically developed Sea Baby USV boasts an impressive 1,500 km range and carries a two-ton warhead, capable of destroying various targets. Beyond its suicide attack configuration, some variants are equipped with missile launchers and remote-controlled machine guns. The Sea Baby also incorporates advanced features such as AI-assisted targeting, sightline stabilization systems, and a self-destruct mechanism to prevent enemy capture.
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Two Sea Baby vessels of the Ukrainian army. Photo: SBU |
Arab leaders, according to Zelensky, recognize the Ukrainian armed forces' success in securing the Black Sea corridor. Ukraine's unmanned vessels have effectively attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet, compelling them to relocate warships from their Crimean home port to Novorossiysk, approximately 300 km east. These operations have resulted in the destruction of several Russian warships and significantly limited others, thereby helping Ukraine maintain vital maritime trade routes to Europe.
"Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the US is addressing this issue, and we are ready to support our partners," Zelensky stated.
Last weekend, President Zelensky visited Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he announced defense cooperation agreements aimed at countering UAV threats from Iran. Ukraine asserts it possesses an advanced anti-UAV defense system, honed over four years of countering Russian attacks, including those involving Iranian-supplied Shahed UAVs.
By Thanh Tam (CNN, AFP)
