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MAGURA V5
Ukrainian unmanned boat From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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MAGURA (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus V-type)[note 1] is a class of Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface vehicles (USV) developed for use by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine[2] (HUR) and capable of performing various tasks: surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.[3] The Magura V5 was introduced in 2023; the Magura V6P and Magura V7 were added in 2025, the latter being armed with various missiles designed to shoot down enemy aircraft.[4][5]
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Development
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HUR signed contracts to design a new USV with private companies who had previously worked with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in designing USVs, however had their partnerships terminated due to disputes with the SBU over project specifications and budget. A new partnership with HUR was formed that started the project which eventually developed the MAGURA V5.[2]
In November 2022, the Ukrainian government announced the development of a Ukrainian combat surface drone with a range of up to 800 km.[1] The boat was first presented at the International Defence Industry Fair, which took place from 25 to 28 July 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey.[6] On 29 July 2023, a CNN report confirmed that the MAGURA V5 kamikaze boat existed not only as an exhibition model but also as an operational system.[7]
Unlike the Sea Baby used by the SBU, which carries a heavier explosive payload and is primarily used to strike stationary targets such as ships docked in port, the smaller and more manoeuvrable MAGURA V5 is designed for striking warships at sea.[2]
Both the MAGURA and Sea Baby were provided to the 385th USV Brigade after its formation as the world's first USV unit in August 2023, although their operatives were still HUR and SBU.[8]
A variant armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles modified for surface-to-air operation was developed from January 2025. According to the head of HUR, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov: "We use a couple of models [of missiles] on our Magura-7, but the best results [come from] the AIM-9."[5] This variant was claimed to have shot down Russian aircraft with Sidewinder missiles in May 2025.[9][10] The Russian Defense Ministry did not comment, but Russian sources report that the pilots of one fighter were rescued by a cargo ship, whose crew received an award.[11][12]
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Operational use
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In November 2023, in one documented operational use of the drones, one Serna-class landing craft and one Akula-class landing craft docked at a Russian Navy base in Chornomorske, in western Crimea were destroyed.[13]
On 1 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones struck and sank the Tarantul-III class missile corvette Ivanovets in the Black Sea near Lake Donuzlav in Crimea.[14]
On 14 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones were used to attack and sink the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov near Alupka in Russian-occupied Crimea.[15] The sinking was confirmed by Russian sources.[16][17]
On 5 March 2024, MAGURA V5 drones were used in an attack that sank the patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait.[18][19]
On 30 May 2024, the HUR claimed the destruction of two Russian boats of the KC-701 Tuna type with the help of Magura V5 strike marine drones.[20][21][22]
On 10 August 2024, it destroyed a Russian KS 701 Tunets high-speed boat near the settlement of Chornomorske.[23]
On 31 December 2024, the HUR reported that a MAGURA V5 adapted to fire R-73 air-to-air missiles shot down a Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut, in western Crimea and damage another, which dropped flares during the attack and eventually managed to return to base.[24]
On 2 May 2025, 50 km (31 mi) west of Novorossiysk, HUR Magura V7 naval drones reportedly shot down two Russian Su-30SM fighter jets using AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles in what was claimed to be the first shoot-down of a jet by a maritime drone. Su-30 "Flanker" jets are estimated to cost $50 million each. Ukrainian Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed that at least three Magura V7 USVs were used, and that while the crew of the first jet successfully ejected and were recovered by a civilian ship in the Black Sea, the second crew was killed.[25][26][27]
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Tactical and technical characteristics
It is reported by the Ministry of Digital Transformation that the drone is equipped with an autopilot system, video subsystems, night vision equipment, redundant communication modules, and a combat module. It also includes a ground-based autonomous control station, transportation and storage system, and a data centre.[1]
Variants
- MAGURA V5 − Original version.
- MAGURA V6P − Multirole unmanned surface vehicle.[4]
- MAGURA V7 − An enlarged version powered by a 270 hp (200 kW) diesel engine and armed with either a turret-mounted machine gun or anti-aircraft missiles, with the preferred configuration being two AIM-9 Sidewinders.[5][28]
See also
- Sea Baby – USV developed for use by the Security Service of Ukraine
- Marichka – Ukrainian autonomous underwater vehicle
- FL-boat – (German Reich)
Notes
- Named after Magura, the goddess of war and victory from Slavic neopagan mythology.[2]
References
Further reading
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