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First Look at Ukraine’s Magura Sea Drones That Destroyed 15 Russian Targets
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![Photo of Lucile Brizard]( "Photo of Lucile Brizard")
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) publicly unveiled its Magura family of naval strike drones for the first time on May 14 in Kyiv.
The event featured high-ranking defense officials, including Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, and operatives from HUR’s elite Group 13 unit.
The presentation showcased four models developed under the Magura designation: the Magura V5, capable of operating in coordinated swarms, the multipurpose Magura V6P platform, and two configurations of the Magura V7, one equipped with missile capability and another with a mounted combat machine gun.
According to HUR, the V7 variant was the first naval drone in history to down an enemy combat aircraft.
HUR representatives stated that the drones, developed and operated in secrecy over the past two years, have already been deployed in combat. Group 13 reportedly carried out 17 successful strikes on Russian air and sea assets in the Black Sea, destroying 15 targets.
These include two Mi-8 helicopters, two Su-30 fighter jets, and several major Russian naval vessels such as the Sergey Kotov, Ivanovets, and Tsezar Kunikov. The total estimated damage exceeds $500 million.
“It was a challenge for us to start our work from scratch. Previously, there was no such experience anywhere, there was no place to draw information.
But two years ago, we first hit the Russian reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs. And today we can confidently say that HUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Group 13, have pushed the Russian Black Sea Fleet to their bases.
They are constrained in their actions, they do not perform any tasks as intended,” said the unit’s commander, known by the callsign “Thirteenth.”
Joining him at the briefing were operatives using the callsigns “Maestro” and “Xena,” who addressed an audience of journalists, bloggers, national security officials, and volunteers.
“When the drones go out to sea, we see panic among the enemies,” said “Xena.”
The Magura V7 armed with two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles drew particular attention. According to HUR, it was used to shoot down two Russian Su-30 jets, with an estimated combined value exceeding $100 million. Development of this capability was attributed to unnamed engineers and manufacturers working behind the scenes under wartime conditions.
“This is an incredible story, this is a separate blockbuster, when in conditions of a full-scale war and a difficult security situation it is possible not only to produce, but also to develop, improve and obtain new results. Let’s just say: ‘Thank you! ’” said Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for HUR.
Yusov also acknowledged the support of the Kyiv School of Economics, the Diana Podolyanchuk Foundation, and other benefactors, journalists, and volunteers contributing to the development of Ukraine’s naval drone fleet.
Military analyst Mykhailo Samus emphasized that the emergence of Magura drones has catalyzed a shift in global naval doctrine.
“Thanks to the Maguras and other naval drones, a doctrinal shift has already taken place. There is a well-known phrase that Ukraine managed to destroy virtually a third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, although Ukraine does not have a fleet.
But I would like to say that this is what a fleet is, a modern fleet of the 21st century,” Samus said.
He added that the success of Ukraine’s unmanned systems marks a significant transformation in naval warfare, as traditional large-tonnage fleets increasingly prove vulnerable to small, agile, and autonomous platforms.
Earlier, Russia intensified efforts to revive its “Katran” naval drone program following an estimated $350 million in losses from Ukrainian sea drone strikes.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
