Ukraine hits Russian Crimea targets with unmanned ship carrying FPV drones

Ukraine employed a MAGURA drone boat to launch FPV drones against Crimea, targeting equipment linked to two Russian radar systems. The MAGURA vessel reportedly struck Russian radar installations in Crimea using smaller drones. MAGURA, an unmanned Ukrainian surface ship, carries FPV drones and serves for reconnaissance, surveillance, mine warfare, and naval security missions.

Ukrainian officials identified components of the Podlyot radar complex and the Parol-4 radar interrogator as the targeted systems. The operation marks a significant shift in naval drone use, expanding potential applications beyond direct attacks on ships. Group 13, a special military unit of the Ukrainian navy, claimed responsibility for the mission, previously responsible for destroying over nine Russian ships and striking three helicopters and two fighter aircraft.

Ukraine has increasingly utilized unmanned systems for operations against Russian military assets while minimizing personnel exposure. The deployment of MAGURA allows Ukraine to transport attack drones toward military installations beyond the coastline, separating the launch platform from the FPV drones conducting the final strike.

Spets Techno Export states that the MAGURA family is designed for remotely operated architectures suitable for various missions at sea. The V5 variant features a hydrodynamic hull for improved maneuverability and can be deployed from remote locations, eliminating the need for crewed aircraft or surface ships to carry the drones.

Ukraine aims to become a global drone powerhouse, with ambitious plans to produce over 30 million unmanned systems annually, surpassing the combined output of China, Russia, and the United States.