Camilla Jessen
For the first time, Ukraine has publicly presented its powerful Magura naval drones.
Ukraine’s military intelligence service (HUR) publicly presented its Magura naval drones on May 14, offering the first public look at the unmanned craft that have been used in several successful operations against Russian targets in the Black Sea.
According to HUR, the Magura drones, alongside the Sea Baby drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), have been instrumental in damaging or destroying multiple Russian ships and aircraft.
These drones are credited with helping to reshape the course of naval warfare in the region.
Ukraine’s Group 13 unit, under HUR, has used Magura drones in confirmed attacks on 17 Russian targets, 15 of which were destroyed, including:
- 2 Mi-8 helicopters
- 2 Su-30 fighter jets
- 3 Russian warships: Sergey Kotov, Ivanovets, and Caesar Kunikov
Public Debut of the Magura Drone Variants
The public unveiling included several versions of the Magura drone:
- V5: described as a “ship-killer”
- V6P: a multi-platform version
- V7: reportedly able to carry machine guns or anti-air missiles
While detailed specifications were not disclosed, the variants appear designed for different operational roles, ranging from direct attacks on ships to potentially engaging air threats.
Shifting the Balance in the Black Sea
By 2024, Ukraine had reportedly managed to destroy or disable one-third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet through a combination of drone and missile strikes. This was achieved despite Russia’s significant naval advantage.
As a result of these losses, Russia relocated many of its naval assets further east, away from occupied Crimea, reducing its operational presence in the western Black Sea.
This shift allowed Ukraine to resume maritime shipping in the region, which had been largely blocked earlier in the war.