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Ukrainian-Led Team Simulates Sea Drone Strike on NATO Frigate in Portugal Exercises
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Ukraine led a multinational naval team that exposed vulnerabilities in NATO’s maritime defenses during the REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 2025 exercises.
Acting as the opposing force, the team simulated the destruction of at least one allied frigate using maritime drones. The German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported these details on March 16.
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The “Red” team, commanded by Ukraine and including units from the United States, Great Britain, Spain, and other nations, competed against the “Blue” NATO forces in Portugal.
The drills covered various scenarios such as port defense and convoy protection. A Ukrainian participant stated that all five scenarios ended in a victory for the Ukrainian-led team.
Under the exercise rules, the winner was the first to successfully launch an attack on enemy ships. During a simulated strike on a convoy, the "Red" team achieved enough hits on a NATO frigate that it would have been destroyed in actual combat.
“The problem was not that they could not stop us—they did not even see our weapons,” a source told the newspaper.
During the maneuvers, Ukraine demonstrated several versions of its MAGURA V7 maritime drone. One model featured reconnaissance equipment and an explosive charge, while another was equipped with a machine gun.
These exercises prove unmanned systems, combined with operational experience and tested planning, represent a significant threat to NATO naval forces. The Alliance currently appears unprepared for attacks involving such weaponry.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed the exercises took place. The official described the event as a “historical milestone confirming the growing role of Ukraine in Alliance exercises,” marking the first time the Ukrainian Navy coordinated the actions of the opposing forces.
During the large-scale NATO REPMUS 2025 maritime exercises held off the coast of Portugal, representatives of the Ukrainian Navy served as the opposing force.
Throughout September, 24 allied and partner nations tested hundreds of autonomous systems, modeling scenarios based on Ukraine’s real-world battlefield experience at sea.
Organizers confirmed the participation of Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels, and footage released from the drills revealed a modernized Magura V7.2 drone, featuring a reinforced hull and an upgraded navigation package designed to counter electronic warfare.
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-076fe7f4d777992e4a080ad3e17e599d.jpg "Russian locomotive on fire after a successful partisan attack, March 2026. (Source: Atesh)")
