A Russian Navy patrol vessel has been seen operating in the Black Sea with an improvised metal structure designed to protect against drones, informally known as a “cope cage,” an adaptation that has become common on armored vehicles used in the war in Ukraine.
Images released by The War Zone show a 21980 Grachonok-class vessel with metal grilles installed over much of the ship’s superstructure. According to the outlet, this may be one of the first times this type of improvised protection has appeared on a Russian surface vessel.
So-called “cope cages” began appearing during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and are intended to reduce damage caused by FPV drones and munitions dropped from above. Even so, analysts frequently question the system’s real effectiveness.
In the case of the Russian patrol boat, the structure covers parts of the deck and the area above the command bridge. TWZ notes, however, that the system leaves several areas vulnerable and may even limit the operating field of weapons installed on the vessel.
The Grachonok class is mainly used to protect ports and naval facilities, as well as to counter sabotage. Russia operates dozens of these vessels, including units linked to the Black Sea Fleet and the border guard service.
The adaptation comes amid an increase in Ukrainian attacks using maritime and aerial drones against Russian vessels in the Black Sea. In recent years, Kyiv has managed to hit warships, patrol vessels and even Russian submarines using naval drones and combined attacks.
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