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Russian Volunteer Corps Gets Ukraine’s Cutting-Edge Sea Drones Built for Black Sea Attacks
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Fighters from the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a unit of Russian nationals fighting on Ukraine’s side, received new Katran sea surface drones designed to launch aerial attack drones, according to a short demonstration video, released by RVC on April 15.
The footage shows RDK fighters standing beside two sea drones of different sizes and configurations, both capable of deploying airborne unmanned vehicles.
The larger of the two vessels, based on its design, appears to carry fixed-wing strike drones mounted on launch racks positioned on top of the hull. These racks are designed to protect the drones from water exposure during transit, elevating them at an angle for takeoff when ready.
Visible on the drone’s front deck are covered compartments believed to house vertical takeoff drones—potentially large FPV suicide units or drone bombers.
The second sea drone, shown on the right, is slightly smaller and features similar compartment boxes. It is also believed to serve as a launch platform for rotor-type UAVs or function as a suicide drone itself, targeting ships or coastal positions.
In the video, RVC fighters claim their unit has already taken part in multiple maritime operations and assert that the Katran drones have proven effective in missions against Russian forces in the Black Sea. However, they did not disclose specific mission details or technical specifications.
The announcement comes shortly after Ukraine’s Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Command unveiled the Alligator-9, a naval anti-ship drone platform capable of carrying various types of munitions depending on mission needs.
Among its configurations is the ability to deploy smaller strike drones like the Alligator 5 ToD, which can serve as airborne torpedoes or suicide drones.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
