Ukrainian Intelligence Unveils Naval Drones Capable of Destroying Ships and Aircraft

Ukrainian intelligence has publicly unveiled its Magura strike naval drones for the first time. The presentation took place in Kyiv and was attended by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, along with a team of specialists from the agency.

Among the drones presented were:

• The well-known ship-killer of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the Magura V5, capable of operating in swarms (more details about this platform are available separately).

• The Magura V6P, a multifunctional naval drone platform.
• The Magura V7, a missile-equipped drone that, for the first time in history, successfully destroyed an enemy combat aircraft.

• Another variant of the Magura V7, this one outfitted with a mounted machine gun module.

Thanks to the advanced Magura naval drones, operatives from the Defence Intelligence special unit Group 13 have managed to significantly shift the balance in the Black Sea, turning the situation in Ukraine’s favor.

“In many cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky. For the Russian invaders, it certainly is,” said Andriy Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence. “This phenomenon is called triskaidekaphobia – a fear of the number 13. And right now, that fear is only growing. Russian sailors are afraid – but Ukrainians are not. They know that Defence Intelligence’s special unit Group 13, part of the division for unmanned and robotic systems, is effectively destroying the enemy and defending Ukraine.”

For nearly two years, Ukrainian intelligence has been deploying various Magura maritime drones in the Black Sea. During this time, specialists have struck 17 naval and aerial targets belonging to the aggressor state, Russia – with 15 of them completely destroyed. This list includes two Mi-8 enemy helicopters, two Su-30 fighter jets, and major vessels of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet such as the Sergey Kotov, Ivanovets, Caesar Kunikov, and others. As a result of these successful operations, Russia’s estimated losses exceed half a billion dollars.

“It was a real challenge for us to start our work from scratch. There was no prior experience anywhere, no source from which to draw information,” says the unit commander with the call sign “Thirteenth.” “But two years ago, we struck the Russian reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs for the first time. And today, we can confidently say that the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Group 13, has pushed the Russian Black Sea Fleet back to its bases. They are constrained in their actions and are no longer fulfilling any of their intended tasks.”

The greatest interest was sparked by the Magura V7 model equipped with two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, which Ukrainian military intelligence operatives used to shoot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets with a combined value of over \$100 million. The creation of such a powerful weapon is the achievement of dedicated engineers and manufacturers. “This is an incredible story – a real blockbuster – where, in the midst of a full-scale war and a challenging security environment, it has been possible not only to produce but also to improve and evolve these systems, achieving new results,” emphasized Andriy Yusov. “All we can say is: thank you!”

As military expert Mykhailo Samus notes, the evolution and combat successes of drones in the Black Sea region are prompting a reassessment of naval doctrines around the world. “There’s a well-known phrase that Ukraine managed to destroy nearly a third of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, even though Ukraine has no fleet. But I would argue – this is the fleet, the modern fleet of the 21st century,” the expert explains. “The struggle between this kind of fleet and the traditional large-tonnage navy has been ongoing for decades. I’m convinced that right now, amid full-scale war, Ukraine and the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine – as the leader in this field – have truly sparked a revolution.”

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