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The deployment of the MAGURA family of naval drones has significantly altered the situation in the Black Sea. Alongside these drones, Ukrainian intelligence has conducted numerous successful operations, some of which have been truly unique. Representatives from the Ukrainian Book of Records documented five combat records and presented official certificates to members of the Defence Intelligence Directorate.
The following achievements have been recognized as national records of Ukraine:
The world’s first sinking of warships by naval drones. This operation took place on November 10, 2023, when MAGURA drones destroyed the Russian landing craft D-144 “Serna” (carrying a BTR-82) and D-295 “Akula.”
The first shootdown of a combat aircraft using a naval drone. This unique event occurred on May 2, 2025, when the MAGURA V7 drone destroyed Russian Su-30 fighter jets over the Black Sea.
- The first air target downed by a naval drone was effectively a New Year’s gift: on December 31, 2024, the MAGURA V5 drone sank enemy Mi-8 helicopters in the Black Sea.
- Ukraine’s intelligence also achieved the highest number of strikes against combat ships and boats. Between 2023 and 2024, Ukrainian forces damaged 15 vessels from the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s ship and boat units. These included landing ships, patrol and reconnaissance vessels, as well as landing and high-speed boats.
- The highest number of sunken ships and boats has also been recorded. Thanks to naval drones, several vessels have been lost to the bottom of the Black Sea, including the missile boat “Ivanovets,” landing craft D-295 “Akula,” landing craft D-144 “Serna,” the large landing ship “Caesar Kunikov,” high-speed boat KS-701 “Tunets,” two high-speed boats “Rif-75,” and the patrol ship “Sergey Kotov.” Notably, a Ka-29 helicopter was also on board the latter.
The records were officially registered during an event at the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Museum, which recently opened an exhibition dedicated to MAGURA drones. Representatives from the Ukrainian Book of Records presented certificates to Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defence Intelligence Directorate, the director of the UAV Systems Department at the Ministry of Defence’s Intelligence Directorate, and members of Group 13, the unit responsible for conducting maritime special operations using drones.
“We have closely followed the development and combat use of MAGURA and can say with full confidence that these achievements are unique on a global scale,” said Andriy Masiuk, a representative of the Ukrainian Book of Records. “They demonstrate that Ukraine, even under the most challenging conditions, is capable of creating innovations that change the course of the war.”
“Every ship sunk, every aircraft or helicopter shot down, reduces the enemy’s capabilities. These are real steps toward our victory,” said Kyrylo Budanov. “I want to thank Group 13 for their work. Their dedication and professionalism enable us to achieve these results.”
The commander of the Defence Intelligence Directorate’s Group 13, known by the call sign “Thirteenth,” expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian engineers. “I want to thank the commanders who supported the initiative, the manufacturers for their innovations, and my team for their dedicated and successful work,” he said. “We are fighting against a resource-rich state, so any support is especially valuable.”
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