Ukraine's New Maritime Drones: A Technological Leap Against Aggression
On May 14, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) showcased its new maritime drones for the first time, which have already proven effective in destroying Russian naval vessels and aircrafts, reports a Kyiv Post journalist who attended the event in a secret location in the capital.
The new Magura maritime drones represent a significant technological advancement, allowing Ukrainian special forces from GUR Group 13 to shift the balance of power in the Black Sea in favor of Ukraine.
General Lieutenant Kyrylo Budanov, head of GUR, also attended the secret presentation.
The Ukrainian intelligence agency publicly unveiled a series of strike drones named Magura:
- the notorious “killer” of the Russian Black Sea fleet ships, Magura V5, Ukraine's main maritime drone in the fight against the Russian navy, capable of carrying up to 320 kg of payload and equipped with a machine gun.
- the multi-functional platform Magura V6P, with a range of 540 nautical miles.
- the missile-carrying drone Magura V7, which has historically destroyed an enemy fighter aircraft. This drone can carry up to 650 kg of payload and has a range of up to 800 nautical miles.
- the Magura V7 model, equipped with a combat machine gun module.
The Magura maritime drones have become a crucial tool in the struggle for control of the Black Sea, providing strategic advantages for Ukraine.
The operators present at the event emphasized that this is just the beginning for the Russian fleet, highlighting the importance of advanced technologies in warfare.
“We can confidently say that the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Group 13, have pushed the Russian Black Sea fleet back to their bases,” said the commander of Group 13, known by the call sign “Thirteenth.”
“On December 31, 2024, a pivotal moment occurred in the history of the fleet when two Russian Mi-8 helicopters were destroyed, and one was damaged. As you know, we also downed two aircraft,” he added.
In two years of combat use of various Magura drone modifications, the Ukrainian military intelligence has destroyed or incapacitated 17 Russian maritime and aerial targets, including two Mi-8 helicopters, two Su-30 fighters, as well as major ships of the Russian Black Sea fleet — “Sergiy Kotov,” “Ivanovets,” “Tsesar Kunikov,” and others. The total losses for the enemy have been assessed at over 500 million dollars.
The Russian fleet continues to illegally operate in Ukrainian waters, predominantly in the area of temporarily occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian forces regularly strike at military vessels and bases of the Russian Black Sea fleet using precision missiles, maritime drones, and UAVs. These strikes have forced Russia to partially relocate some ships from Crimea to Novorossiysk.
