In a significant step toward modernizing its arsenal, Ukraine has unveiled an innovative weapons system that incorporates anti-aircraft missiles on unmanned fast boats. The pioneering technology, known as the Magura V7, has shot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets in a daring performance that underscores Ukraine’s military ingenuity in its ongoing standoff against Russian forces, The New York Times reported.
The Magura V7 is the latest addition to a series of drones and robotic weapons that Ukraine has successfully designed and deployed over the past three years. This system was presented to the press by General Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, on May 14, who praised its combat effectiveness. Although Russia has not confirmed the impact of these weapons, Russian military analyst Vladislav Shurygin reported on one incident, adding to the controversy and mystery surrounding this military innovation.
According to The New York Times, the use of these systems is part of an innovative tactic that has seen Ukraine employ drones not only in the air but also at sea, significantly disrupting Russia's capabilities. Recently, an attack on airfields from eastern Siberia to Russia's western border, carried out by a group of drones that Ukraine says infiltrated into Russian territory, was one of the most unexpected attacks of the war to date. These drones, previously used conventionally, were deployed for the first time concealed on trucks, transported to launch sites inside Russia.
The Magura V7, unveiled at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, resembles speedboats with a sleek green design, equipped with missiles on the sides and a central electronic sight. In December, an earlier version of these drones successfully shot down two Russian Mi-8 helicopters in the Black Sea. An operator explained how the weapon can stay at sea for days, tracking Russian aircraft and then ambushing them. This development gives Ukraine a significant advantage, especially given its ability to fire air-to-air missiles and lock onto aircraft, which represents an advance over previous capabilities.
During the presentation, Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for the military intelligence agency, proclaimed that “these drones represent the future.” His statement was echoed by members of Group 13, the unit tasked with managing these new technological tools. While military analyst Pasi Paroinen of the Finland-based Black Bird Group noted that the system alone may not be “a game-changer,” he emphasized that, in combination with others, it can have “a considerable impact on the battlefield.”
The Magura V7 reflects the unmanned arms race that defines the conflict in Ukraine. The urgency to improve these weapons has increased given Russian attacks and advances on the front lines. These maritime drones, initially deployed to attack warships in swarms, have evolved to evade Russian detect-and-kill tactics using helicopters.
Earlier versions of the Magura, loaded with explosives, have sunk or damaged 16 Russian warships since the conflict began, according to Yusov. Although these figures could not be independently verified, they are consistent with estimates by military analysts.
To catch up with Russian Su-30 fighters, the latest version of the missile-equipped Magura escorts a larger swarm of maritime drones, an officer with the drone unit, not identified other than by her pseudonym, Xena, said during a separate presentation. The shootdown came as weather conditions improved, making it easier for drones to operate at sea.
Operational planning for each mission can last up to a month, with operators closely monitoring Russian port and vessel movements. To maintain discretion, the drones depart from different locations for each raid.
Experts including Dr Sidharth Kaushal of the Royal United Services Institute and Rob Lee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute have said it is the first time such a system has been deployed in the world. The 13 Group commander, whose rank and name remain anonymous, acknowledged the difficulty of fine-tuning tactics and testing unprecedented technology in today's combat environment.
These vessels not only function as autonomous weapons, but also act as drone “motherships,” launching small, explosive quadcopters that can be guided by operators to hit targets at sea or near shore. As strike capabilities expand, Ukraine has increased the use of mother drones in the air and at sea to extend the range of its attacks, with videos released by Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, showing carrier drones dropping attack drones behind enemy lines.
