In a groundbreaking development for modern naval warfare, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate [GUR] has deployed at least two types of advanced naval drones in the Black Sea, showcasing their ability to conduct precision strikes against Russian targets.
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Exclusive footage from the documentary Naval Battle: The Era of Drones by Ukrainian filmmaker Artem Shevchenko, aired in early 2025, revealed these sophisticated unmanned platforms, which are reshaping the strategic landscape of the ongoing conflict.
The drones, equipped with cutting-edge technology and capable of launching kamikaze drones, have already demonstrated their effectiveness in operations near occupied Crimea, signaling a significant leap in Ukraine’s maritime capabilities.
The documentary, which has garnered attention for its unprecedented access to GUR’s operations, provided a rare glimpse into two distinct naval drone platforms that differ markedly from the well-known Magura V5, a Ukrainian-developed unmanned surface vessel [USV] previously used to devastating effect against Russian naval assets.
The first platform, described by GUR officials, features a conventional boat engine with propeller blades, unlike the waterjet propulsion of earlier models. This drone is designed to carry up to four containers housing first-person view [FPV] kamikaze drones, enabling it to strike both land-based and highly maneuverable sea targets.
A GUR special forces officer involved in drone operations emphasized the platform’s versatility, stating, “Our naval platform carries from 500 to 3,000 kilograms of various types of weapons—air, surface, underwater. The system uses the latest technologies, combined with NATO-style artificial intelligence.” While the officer’s identity was not disclosed for security reasons, the claim underscores Ukraine’s integration of advanced systems into its arsenal.
The second platform, shown in lower-quality footage, revealed a radically different hull design and a launch system for four fixed-wing strike drones. Though details about this model remain scarce, its configuration suggests a specialized role in delivering aerial drones to targets deep behind enemy lines.
The documentary hinted at its repeated use in covert missions to supply weapons to the Crimean coast, a region under Russian control since 2014. In April 2025, this platform reportedly struck several Russian patrol boats and a Tor-M2 air defense system in Crimean waters, highlighting its operational impact.
The ability to conduct such strikes from a distance represents a tactical evolution, allowing Ukraine to challenge Russian dominance in the Black Sea without risking manned vessels or personnel.
Both platforms are equipped with Starlink satellite internet antennas, a critical feature that extends their operational range by providing reliable, high-speed communication. This technology, supplied by SpaceX, has been a cornerstone of Ukraine’s military communications since the onset of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
The integration of Starlink ensures that these drones can operate far from Ukrainian shores, maintaining real-time connectivity with control stations even in contested environments. The documentary also showcased the control station for these platforms, featuring an operator’s chair, aircraft-style yoke, and throttle lever.
A control panel with several buttons, including one likely for adjusting the vessel’s pitch, enables precise navigation. Operators use augmented reality [AR] goggles to view feeds from the drones’ day and night cameras, with images duplicated on a monitor for situational awareness among other personnel.
This setup, which combines feeds from thermal and rear cameras into a wide-angle view, enhances the operator’s ability to navigate and engage targets effectively.
The Magura V5, while not the focus of the documentary, serves as a benchmark for understanding these new platforms. Developed by Ukraine’s defense industry, the Magura V5 is a 5.5-meter-long USV with a top speed of 42 knots and a range of approximately 800 kilometers.
It carries a payload of up to 320 kilograms, typically explosives for kamikaze missions, and has been credited with sinking several Russian warships, including the Sergei Kotov Corvette in March 2024. Its stealthy design and low profile make it difficult to detect, a trait likely shared by the new platforms.
However, the ability to launch FPV or fixed-wing drones sets the newer models apart, offering a multi-domain strike capability that combines maritime and aerial warfare. For comparison, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has relied on Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones and, more recently, strike drones like the Skvorets VMF, as reported by Newsweek in March 2025.
These Russian systems, while effective for surveillance, lack the integrated drone-launching capability of Ukraine’s platforms, highlighting a technological gap.
The strategic significance of these naval drones extends beyond their immediate battlefield impact. By forcing Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to relocate from Sevastopol to less secure bases like Novorossiysk, Ukraine has disrupted Moscow’s naval operations and supply lines.
The GUR’s use of drones to support sabotage missions and amphibious raids further underscores their versatility. In one notable operation, detailed in a February 2025 report by Armymedia.bg, Ukrainian drones equipped with air-to-air missiles shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet over the Black Sea, marking the first recorded instance of a naval drone downing an aircraft.
This incident, confirmed by GUR officials, demonstrated the platforms’ potential to provide air cover for maritime operations, a capability previously reserved for manned vessels or aircraft.
Historically, naval warfare has evolved through technological leaps, from the introduction of ironclad ships in the 19th century to the aircraft carriers of the 20th century. The emergence of unmanned systems like Ukraine’s naval drones represents the latest chapter in this evolution.
Unlike traditional warships, which require large crews and extensive logistics, USVs are cost-effective and expendable, reducing the human and financial cost of operations. For context, a single Russian Kilo-class submarine costs upwards of $300 million, while a Magura V5 is estimated at $250,000.
The new platforms, though likely more expensive due to their advanced systems, still offer a fraction of the cost of manned alternatives. This cost asymmetry allows Ukraine, with limited resources, to challenge a numerically superior adversary.
Globally, other nations are also investing in naval drones, though few match Ukraine’s operational experience. The United States has developed the Orca, an autonomous underwater vehicle, with a reported cost of $620 million for six units as of 2022, according to Bloomberg.
Turkey, a leader in drone technology, has deployed the Alpagut, a loitering munition launched from naval platforms, as noted in a 2022 Money.bg report. Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, used by Russia in Ukraine, share similarities with Ukraine’s FPV drones but lack the maritime integration seen in GUR’s platforms.
These comparisons highlight Ukraine’s innovative approach, blending commercial technologies like Starlink with military-grade systems to create a hybrid capability tailored to its needs.
The GUR’s drone program is not without challenges. Russia’s electronic warfare systems, which jam GPS and radio signals, pose a constant threat to unmanned platforms. To counter this, Ukraine has developed drones with anti-jamming technology, as evidenced by the Artemis project, a U.S.-Ukrainian collaboration to test long-range kamikaze drones, reported by Armymedia.bg in April 2025.
Additionally, the decentralized nature of Ukraine’s drone development, involving multiple agencies and private firms, can hinder mass production, as noted in a 2023 Capital.bg article. Despite these hurdles, the GUR’s ability to innovate under pressure has made its drones a cornerstone of Ukraine’s defense strategy.
The broader implications of Ukraine’s naval drones extend to global military doctrine. As General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, stated in a May 2025 speech at the Ukraine-UK Defense Technology Forum, “The Russo-Ukrainian war has completely changed the nature of warfare. Expensive missiles and precision-guided munitions have lost effectiveness, while drones have become indispensable.”
This shift is evident in the Black Sea, where Ukraine’s drones have neutralized Russia’s naval advantage, forcing a reevaluation of traditional fleet operations. NATO allies, observing Ukraine’s success, are likely to accelerate their own unmanned programs, potentially reshaping naval strategies worldwide.
From a geopolitical perspective, the GUR’s drone operations underscore Ukraine’s growing self-reliance in the face of uneven Western support. While NATO has provided critical aid, including anti-ship missiles and intelligence, Ukraine’s domestic drone industry has filled gaps left by delayed or limited deliveries.
The use of Starlink, a U.S.-provided technology, also highlights the complex interplay of private-sector innovation and state-led warfare. However, reliance on foreign systems like Starlink raises questions about sustainability, especially if access were restricted in future conflicts.
The unveiling of Ukraine’s naval drones marks a pivotal moment in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the broader evolution of warfare. By integrating kamikaze drones with maritime platforms, the GUR has created a force multiplier that compensates for Ukraine’s lack of a conventional navy.
The ability to strike Russian targets in Crimea, disrupt naval operations, and support covert missions demonstrates a level of sophistication that rivals established military powers. Yet, as Russia adapts with its own drone and electronic warfare capabilities, the race for technological supremacy in the Black Sea remains far from over.
Will Ukraine’s innovative edge continue to outpace its adversary, or will the Kremlin find ways to neutralize this asymmetric threat? The answer may shape the future of naval warfare for decades to come.
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