How Ukraine Transformed a Naval Drone into a Powerful Combat Platform, Now Destroying Russian Ships, Helicopters, and Ground Equipment

In early January, it was reported that three Russian military units were destroyed in Skadovsk, a city in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast: two Pantsir anti-aircraft gun systems and one Osa surface-to-air missile system. These units were destroyed by drones, raising the question: how did this happen? Skadovsk is deep in Russian-occupied territory.

This operation was made possible by the development of so-called “naval drone carriers”—a new generation of Ukrainian naval drones. These have become floating platforms capable of launching UAVs or FPV drones remotely to target and destroy enemy equipment.

This capability complements another recent upgrade: air defense functions for naval drones. In December 2024, Ukrainian naval drones shot down two Russian helicopters over the Black Sea. Since their inception, Ukrainian naval drones have evolved from single-function weapons into full-fledged, multi-purpose platforms—a groundbreaking achievement on the global stage.

The evolution of Ukraine’s naval drones

Ukraine first discussed developing such advanced naval weaponry in early 2024 as an evolution of its existing naval drones. Initial successes included sinking several military ships, prompting efforts to expand the drones’ capabilities. By increasing their size, Ukraine was able to equip the drones with a broader range of weaponry and make them more autonomous.

Details of the new platform remain classified to protect against enemy intelligence. However, several applications have been disclosed.

Naval drone with air defense capabilities

On the night of December 31, 2024, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down over the Black Sea. During a patrol, Russian forces detected a Ukrainian naval drone and opened fire with machine guns. However, the Magura drone was armed with a missile system, launching an R-73 missile that struck the helicopter, causing it to crash into the sea. A second helicopter was also hit, with its crew retreating toward the shore. Subsequent intelligence confirmed that both helicopters were destroyed, resulting in the loss of 16 Russian personnel.

This marked the first operation of its kind, though missile-launching capabilities had been tested months earlier. The success suggests the Black Sea is now dangerous not only for the Russian navy but also for its air force.

Naval drone carrier for UAVs

On January 6, 2025, it was reported that three Russian anti-aircraft systems in occupied Kherson were destroyed, presumably by drones launched from the sea. Witnesses claim the operation could only have been carried out using naval drone carriers capable of deploying UAVs and FPV drones remotely.

The key advantage of this system is its stealth. Naval drones can reach their positions in advance, remain undetected, and launch UAVs at any moment. Enlarged naval drones provide greater autonomy, allowing them to operate at sea for extended periods.

The exact number of drones the platform can carry remains undisclosed, as do other technical specifications.

Naval drones retain their core functions

Despite these advancements, naval drones continue to fulfill their primary role of attacking enemy warships. With increased size, they can carry more explosives for more powerful detonations. Ukrainian drones, such as the Magura and Sea Baby, have reportedly destroyed up to a dozen Russian ships of various sizes. As a result, the once-dominant Black Sea Fleet is now largely confined to ports in Crimea and Russia.

A comprehensive unmanned fleet

The Ukrainian Armed Forces now employ a combination of drone types for layered attacks. Larger platforms can distract enemy patrol helicopters, while smaller, more agile naval drones conduct direct attacks on enemy fleets. This fully autonomous fleet can execute diverse missions under resource constraints or in geographically limited areas where large military vessels are vulnerable. These drones also complement large ships by enhancing mobility during local operations.

This rapid development is remarkable, given that such naval drones did not exist three years ago. Today, they represent a formidable addition to Ukraine’s military arsenal, with continued scaling and innovation on the horizon.