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New Ukrainian Sea Drone With Machine Gun Spotted Near Russian Naval Base
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A previously unseen Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessel equipped with a remote-controlled machine gun was identified during a recent attack on Russia’s Novorossiysk naval base.
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According to Defence Blog on April 7, footage published by Russian reconnaissance sources shows multiple maritime drones approaching the port, with one of the vessels—featuring a configuration not previously documented in open sources—targeted and destroyed by a Lancet loitering munition before reaching the harbor.
The same footage indicates a secondary explosion following the strike, suggesting the drone was carrying an onboard explosive payload intended for a one-way attack mission. The vessel appears to include multiple navigation systems, likely incorporating satellite-guided components.
According to Defence Blog, the distinguishing feature of this platform is a remotely operated machine-gun mount installed on the hull. The weapon system is assessed to provide limited self-defense capability, potentially enabling the drone to engage reconnaissance UAVs or other aerial threats during its approach.
This configuration reflects a broader shift in Ukraine’s maritime drone development. As reported by Defence Blog, earlier iterations were primarily designed as explosive-laden strike platforms, while more recent variants—such as those from the Sea Baby family—have been observed with additional armament, including stabilized gun mounts and rocket systems.
Earlier, Ukraine introduced the Sea Baby naval drone as part of its expanding unmanned maritime program, demonstrating its ability to strike Russian naval assets and infrastructure in the Black Sea while laying the groundwork for more advanced, long-range systems.
Ukrainian naval drones have also demonstrated their effectiveness during multinational exercises, including NATO’s REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 2025 drills in Portugal. In one scenario, Ukrainian operators used MAGURA V7 uncrewed surface vessels to carry out a simulated strike on the Portuguese frigate NRP Dom Francisco de Almeida, achieving multiple confirmed “hits” before the crew registered the attack.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
