Ukraine Unveils Killer MAGURA Sea Drones After Destroying 17 Russian Targets, Forcing Fleet Retreat

On Wednesday, May 14, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) team unveiled its newest sea drones for the first time – unmanned systems that have already proven their effectiveness by destroying multiple Russian ships, helicopters, and aircraft, Kyiv Post journalist reports from a secret location in the Ukrainian capital.

The MAGURA sea drones represent a cutting-edge technological weapon that has helped the HUR’s special unit Group 13 dramatically shift the balance in the Black Sea in Ukraine’s favor.

HUR chief Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov was also present at the classified presentation.

The Ukrainian intelligence service publicly showcased a series of MAGURA strike drones for the first time, including:

• The well-known ship-killer MAGURA V5, Ukraine’s main naval drone in the fight against Russia’s fleet, capable of carrying up to 320 kg of payload and equipped with a combat module featuring a machine gun.
• The multi-purpose platform MAGURA V6P with a range of up to 540 nautical miles.
• The missile-carrying MAGURA V7, which made history by destroying an enemy warplane – this drone can carry up to 650 kg of payload and operate within a range of up to 800 nautical miles.
• Another MAGURA V7 model, this one equipped with a heavy machine gun combat module.

The MAGURA drones have played a decisive role in turning the tide of naval warfare in Ukraine’s favor.

Operators from Group 13, present at the event, emphasized that this is only the beginning for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, stressing that the future of warfare lies in advanced technology.

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Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov warned that Kyiv has only a limited window to capitalize on those gains before Russia adapts.

“We can confidently say that Ukraine’s HUR and Group 13 have pushed the Russian Black Sea Fleet back to their home ports. They’re restricted in their movements and no longer fulfill their designated missions,” said the unit’s commander, known by the call sign “Thirteenth.”

“Dec. 31, 2024, marked a turning point in naval warfare,” he added. “Two Russian Mi-8 helicopters were destroyed, and one was damaged. We also took down two fighter jets.”

Over two years of operational deployment, the various modifications of the MAGURA sea drone have enabled Ukraine’s military intelligence to destroy or disable 17 Russian maritime and aerial targets – including two Mi-8 helicopters, two Su-30 fighter jets, and major vessels of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, such as the Sergey Kotov, Ivanovets, Tsezar Kunikov, and others. The total estimated damage to Russia exceeds $500 million.

Despite these losses, the Russian fleet continues to occupy Ukrainian waters, particularly around temporarily occupied Crimea. However, regular precision strikes by Ukrainian forces using sea drones, missiles, and UAVs have forced Russia to relocate a portion of its fleet from Crimea to Novorossiysk.