At a recent press conference, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (MID) of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, publicly presented the Magura V7 drones, unmanned aerial vehicles used to shoot down Russian helicopters and fighter jets in the Black Sea.
According to the Ukrainian intelligence service, “Magura naval drones are the most technologically advanced weapons, thanks to which the fighters of the special forces unit of the MID Group 13 managed to turn the situation in the Black Sea in Ukraine’s favor…” The latter refers to the actions carried out in recent years, which caused significant losses to the Russian Armed Forces, even forcing the withdrawal of the Black Sea Fleet to safer waters.
In just over two years of service, the Magura family of naval drones was responsible for the destruction or damage of 17 Russian Armed Forces ships and aircraft in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian intelligence service reported that 15 of these targets were completely destroyed. The list of winners includes two Mi-8 helicopters, two Su-30 fighters, and large naval units such as the “Sergey Kotov“, “Ivanovets“, and “Tsezar Kunikov” vessels, among others. “Russian losses due to the actions of these drones are estimated at more than $500 million,” detailed the Ukrainian State Intelligence Service (GUR).
The MAGURA (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus) naval drones are the result of ongoing Ukrainian R&D efforts in unmanned vehicles. The initiative has resulted in the development of various variants and models, which have improved their capabilities and performance based on combat experience.
In the case of the Magura V5, these drones have a range exceeding 800 kilometers and are capable of reaching a maximum speed of 42 knots (cruising at 22 knots). Its 320-kilogram payload of explosives is large enough to disable any ship sailing in the Black Sea, as has been demonstrated on a few occasions.
Among the most recent milestones achieved by Magura drones is the downing of helicopters and fighter jets over the Black Sea. These actions took place within the framework of complex operations with various unmanned vehicles, once again demonstrating the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ mastery of the subject.
At the end of December 2024, the Ukrainian intelligence service reported the downing of two Mi-8 helicopters, victories achieved by Magura V5 “Sea Dragon” naval drones armed with R-73 air-to-air missiles. The latest milestone was reached in early May, when Magura V7 drones armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles managed to down two Su-30 fighter-bombers.
Cover image via X.
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