Ukraine says its drone boat just hit Russian radar sites, and this could change coastal warfare forever. | Tech Radar

Overview

News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Details

Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards.

Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.

Ukraine hits Russian Crimea targets with unmanned ship carrying FPV drones

MAGURA carried FPV aircraft toward Russian military targets in Crimea

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Ukraine used a MAGURA drone boat to launch FPV drones against Crimea

The operation reportedly struck equipment linked to two Russian radar systems

MAGURA carried smaller drones toward Russian military installations along Crimea’s coastline

Group 13, a special military unit of the Ukrainian navy, claims to have struck Russian radar installations in Crimea.

The operation used MAGURA, an unmanned Ukrainian surface vessel carrying FPV drones and developed for reconnaissance, surveillance, mine warfare, and other naval security missions.

According to Ukrainian officials, the system allowed smaller drones to attack Russian military equipment from a sea-based launch platform.

MAGURA carries drones toward Crimean radar installations

During the operation, a MAGURA vessel carried FPV drones that were deployed against Russian radar-related equipment located along the Crimean coast.

Ukrainian officials identified components of the Podlyot radar complex and the Parol-4 radar interrogator among the systems attacked.

Ukraine unveils tiny 'aircraft carrier' but for FPV drone — will submarine UAV launcher be next?

US will build Ukraine’s sea drones — including the one that shoots down jets

Price of record-breaking Ukraine AI FPV drone slashed to $500 as range increases sixfold to 68 miles

The reported mission expands the potential use of naval drones beyond direct attacks against ships and other maritime objectives.

"Now, our MAGURAs threaten the Russian occupiers and on land — this is a radical shift in the fight," said a Group 13 commander.

Group 13 has previously claimed responsibility for destroying more than nine Russian ships during operations conducted around the Black Sea.

The unit has also claimed strikes against three helicopters and two fighter aircraft, although battlefield damage assessments remain difficult to verify independently.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on unmanned systems to conduct operations against Russian military assets while limiting direct exposure of personnel.

Ukraine's heavy bomber drones airdrop ARK-1 mine-laying robots behind Russian lines

Ukraine reveals secret strike squadron of civilian planes transformed into deadly reusable drone bombers

Ukraine's next weapon against Russian drones is this slightly odd tiny robot which fires nets into the air in all directions

The reported deployment gives Ukraine another way to move smaller attack drones toward military installations located beyond the immediate coastline.

Instead of using MAGURA solely against maritime targets, Ukrainian forces used the vessel to transport aircraft intended for attacks on land.

That arrangement separates the launch platform from the FPV drones that conduct the final strike against the intended military equipment.

It also allows the vessel to approach an area without requiring a crewed aircraft or surface ship to carry the drones.

Spets Techno Export says the MAGURA family was designed around a remotely operated architecture suitable for different missions at sea.

According to information from the developer, the V5 variant incorporates a hydrodynamic hull intended to improve maneuverability.

The platform can also be deployed from remote locations, allowing operators to conduct missions without placing personnel directly aboard the vessel.

Ukraine's ambitious push to become a global drone powerhouse

The MAGURA strike is one part of a far larger buildup, as Ukraine works to scale unmanned warfare production nationwide.

The Eastern European country has clearly stated its ambitions to become the world's largest drone and robot producer, with a capacity that could exceed 30 million units annually.

That figure would reportedly surpass the combined output of China, Russia, and the United States, according to Kyiv's own projections.

Ukrainian officials have confirmed plans to build 10 million drones in 2026, rising toward 20 million in the years that follow.

Those figures accompany a newly signed $1.1 billion drone agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.

Ukraine's drone ambition goes beyond developing new models, extending to converting old civilian aircraft into reusable armed drones.

Ukraine has increasingly combined different unmanned systems, using surface vessels and aircraft together during operations against Russian military assets.

Follow Tech Radar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.

Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master's and a Ph D in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, August 12 (game #1661)

NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, August 12 (game #1158)

NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, August 12 (game #892)

Amazon's new Texas AI data center could become the biggest CO2 polluter in the US — 7.65GW facility gets permit to spread 33 million tons of annual greenhouse gases, despite Amazon's clean energy pledge

Capturing the 'primal energy of Wolverine' in a new look, Sony is going all-in on Marvel’s Wolverine with a new PS5 collection that includes covers, a Dual Sense, and a limited-edition console

Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Key Takeaways

News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards