MAGURA V5#Variants

{{Infobox weapon

| image = Stamp of Ukraine s2086.jpg

| image_size = 260px

| caption = MAGURA V5 on a 2024 stamp of Ukraine

| name = MAGURA V5

| type = Unmanned surface vehicle

| origin = Ukraine

| used_by = Main Directorate of Intelligence in conjunction with the 385th USV Brigade

| production_date =

| unit_cost = $273,000

| variants = See variants

| is_vehicle = yes

| spec_label = MAGURA V5

| mass = less than {{cvt|1000|kg|lb}}

| length = {{cvt|5.5|m|ft}}

| vehicle_range = up to {{cvt|800|km}}

| speed = {{cvt|78|km/h}}

| guidance = GNSS, inertial, visual

| primary_armament = Explosive charge up to {{cvt|300|kg}} or Sea Dragon surface-to-air missile (modified R-73 air-to-air missile)

}}

MAGURA (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus V-type){{NoteTag|Named after Magura, the goddess of war and victory from Slavic neopagan mythology.}} is a class of Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface vehicles (USV) developed for use by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) and capable of performing various tasks: surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.{{Cite web |title=MAGURA V5 — новий український морський безпілотник |trans-title=MAGURA V5 is a new Ukrainian marine drone|url=https://itc.ua/ua/novini/magura-v5-novyj-ukrayinskyj-morskyj-bezpilotnyk/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=ITC.ua|date=26 July 2023}} 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.

Development

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.

In November 2022, the Ukrainian government announced the development of a Ukrainian combat surface drone with a range of up to 800 km.{{Cite web |title=Україна розкрила деталі про ударні морські БПА |trans-title=Ukraine has revealed details about sea-based air defense missile defense systems |url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/ukrayina-rozkryla-detali-pro-udarni-morski-bpa/ |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Мілітарний |language=uk}} The boat was first presented at the International Defence Industry Fair, which took place from 25 to 28 July 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=Українські інженери представили морський дрон Magura V5 (фото) |trans-title=Ukrainian engineers presented the Magura V5 marine drone (photo) |url=https://glavcom.ua/techno/devices/ukrajinski-inzheneri-predstavili-morskij-dron-magura-v5-944712.html |access-date=2023-08-31 |website=Главком {{!}} Glavcom |language=uk}} 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.{{Cite AV media|title='Faster than anything else in the Black Sea': See Ukraine's latest sea drone |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1WbNY-yB0|type=Video with transcript|date=2023-07-28 |publisher=CNN|via=YouTube}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2024/03/4/7444793/|title=Target and eliminate: How Ukraine's Magura drones devastate Russian ships|author=Roman Romaniuk|date=March 4, 2024|website=Ukrainska Pravda|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305140406/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2024/03/4/7444793/|archive-date=March 5, 2024|url-status=live}}

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.{{Cite web|title=World's First Specialized Explosive Naval Drone Unit Formed In Ukraine|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/worlds-first-specialized-explosive-naval-drone-unit-formed-in-ukraine/|website=Naval News|date=2023-08-31|access-date=2023-09-01|language=en-US|first=H. I.|last=Sutton|archive-date=2023-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831123117/https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/worlds-first-specialized-explosive-naval-drone-unit-formed-in-ukraine/}}

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."{{cite news |last1=Altman |first1=Howard |title=Two Russian Su-30 Flankers Downed By AIM-9s Fired From Drone Boats: Ukrainian Intel Boss |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/two-russian-su-30-flankers-downed-by-aim-9s-fired-from-drone-boats-ukrainian-intel-boss |access-date=4 May 2025 |work=The War Zone |date=3 May 2025}} This variant was claimed to have shot down Russian aircraft with Sidewinder missiles in May 2025.{{cite news| last=Plunkett | first=Mike | title=Update: Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels down Russian fast jets |publisher=Janes| date=14 May 2025 | url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/sea/update-ukrainian-unmanned-surface-vessels-down-russian-fast-jets|url-access=subscription| access-date=6 June 2025}}{{cite news| last=Altman | first=Howard | title=Our Best Look Yet At Ukraine's AIM-9 Sidewinder-Toting Magura-7 Drone Boat | publisher=The War Zone | date=15 May 2025 | url=https://www.twz.com/sea/our-best-look-yet-at-ukraines-aim-9-sidewinder-toting-magura-7-drone-boat}} 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.{{cite news| title=Container Ship Rescues Russian Pilots Bailed Out From Downed Su-30SM | publisher=Defense Mirror.com| date=6 May 2025 | url=https://www.defensemirror.com/news/39436}}{{cite web | title=В РФ представлен к награде экипаж контейнеровоза, спасшего пилотов сбитого истребителя Су-30СМ|trans-title=Russia presented an award to the crew of the container ship who saved the pilots of the downed Su-30SM fighter| website=Репортёр | date=5 May 2025 | url=https://topcor.ru/59533-v-rf-predstavlen-k-nagrade-jekipazh-kontejnerovoza-spasshego-pilotov-sbitogo-istrebitelja-su-30sm.html | language=ru}}

Operational use

File:GUR footage of 1 February 2024 attack on Ivanovets by Group 13.webm footage of MAGURA V5 drones striking Russian corvette Ivanovets on 1 February 2024.]]

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.twz.com/sea-drones-attack-russian-landing-craft-in-crimean-port|title=Sea Drones Attack Russian Landing Craft In Crimean Port|author=Altman, Howard|date=2023-11-10 |access-date=2024-02-03|publisher=The War Zone}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraine-sinks-russian-navy-missile-corvette-in-drone-boat-attack |title=Ukraine Sinks Russian Navy Missile Corvette In Drone Boat Attack |author=Altman, Howard|date=2024-02-01 |access-date=2024-02-03|publisher=The War Zone}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68292602|title=Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov sunk off Crimea, says Ukraine|author=Kirby, Paul|date=2024-02-14 |access-date=2024-02-14 |publisher=BBC}} The sinking was confirmed by Russian sources.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/video-russian-warship-crew-last-stand-against-ukraines-sea-drones-2024-3|title=A Russian warship's last-resort machine-gun fire wasn't enough to defeat the Ukrainian sea drone assault that sunk it, video shows|author=Chris Panella|date=March 7, 2024|website=Business Insider}}{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/video-from-the-landing-ship-caesar-kunikov-during-the-ukrainian-drone-attack-was-released/|title=Video from the landing ship Caesar Kunikov during the Ukrainian drone attack was released|date=March 6, 2024|website=Ukrainian Military Center}}

On 5 March 2024, MAGURA V5 drones were used in an attack that sank the patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait.{{Cite news|title=Ukrainian sea drones damage Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship near Crimea |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukrainian-sea-drones-damage-russian-black-sea-fleet-patrol-ship-near-crimea-2024-03-05/|date=2024-03-05 |publisher=Reuters|language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-03-05 |title=Ukraine war: Russian Black Sea fleet ship sunk in drone attack, Kyiv says|first=Thomas|last=Mackintosh|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68477318 |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

File:GUR footage of 31 December 2024 attack on Mi-8 by Group 13.webm helicopter]]

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.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKE93i6N9dc |title='Тунець по-кримськи' від ГУР |date=2024-05-30 |last=Головне управління розвідки МО України|medium=video |via=YouTube}}{{Cite press release|title=Ukraine's Defence Intelligence confirms destruction of 2 Russian boats in Crimea, 2 more damaged – video|first=VALENTYNA|last=ROMANENKO|date=30 May 2024|publisher=Defence Intelligence of Ukraine|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/30/7458320/|work=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=DIU destroys two Russian boats in Crimea|first=Vadim|last=Kushnikov|url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/diu-destroys-two-russian-boats-in-crimea/ |date=30 May 2024|website=Militarnyi |language=en}}

On 10 August 2024, it destroyed a Russian KS 701 Tunets high-speed boat near the settlement of Chornomorske.{{cite web |title=Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence fighters destroy another boat near Crimea – video |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/08/10/7469788/ |website=Ukrainska Pravda |access-date=12 August 2024 |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Russian Mi-8 Helicopter Shot Down with Missile from Ukrainian Sea Drone |url=https://www.defensemirror.com/news/38510 |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=www.defensemirror.com}}

File:GUR footage of 2 May 2025 shootdown of Su-30 by Group 13.webm

On 2 May 2025, {{cvt|50|km}} 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.{{cite news |last=Fratsyvir |first=Anna |title=Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in 'world-first' strike, intelligence says |url=https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-intelligence-says-sea-drone-downs-russian-fighter-jet-in-world-first-strike/ |access-date=3 May 2025 |work=The Kyiv Independent |date=3 May 2025 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Altman |first1=Howard |title=Two Russian Su-30 Flankers Downed By AIM-9s Fired From Drone Boats: Ukrainian Intel Boss |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/two-russian-su-30-flankers-downed-by-aim-9s-fired-from-drone-boats-ukrainian-intel-boss |access-date=4 May 2025 |work=The War Zone |date=3 May 2025}}{{Cite news |title=Budanov: Magura drone used AIM-9 missile to shoot down Russian combat aircraft - Militarnyi |trans-title= |first=Roman|last=Pryhodko |work=Militarnyi |date=2025-05-04 |access-date=2025-05-23 |url= https://militarnyi.com/en/news/budanov-magura-drone-used-aim-9-missile-to-shoot-down-russian-combat-aircraft/}}

Tactical and technical characteristics

class="wikitable"
+Comparison between variants{{cite news \|last1=Altman \|first1=Howard \|title=Our Best Look Yet At Ukraine's AIM-9 Sidewinder-Toting Magura-7 Drone Boat \|url=https://www.twz.com/sea/our-best-look-yet-at-ukraines-aim-9-sidewinder-toting-magura-7-drone-boat \|access-date=18 May 2025 \|work=The War Zone \|date=15 May 2025}}
width=100px \| ! width=40% \| MAGURA V5 ! width=40% \|MAGURA V7
align=right \| length \| {{cvt\|5.5\|m}} \| {{cvt\|23.5\|ft\|order=flip}}
align=right \| mass \| Up to {{cvt\|1000\|kg}} \| Less than {{cvt\|2800\|lb\|order=flip}}
align=right \| payload capacity \| {{cvt\|300\|kg}}{{cite news \|title=Media Reveal Magura V5, the Ukrainian Naval Drone: Features and Specifications \|url=https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/media_reveal_magura_v5_the_ukrainian_naval_drone_features_and_specifications-7471.html \|access-date=18 May 2025 \|work=Defense Express \|date=30 July 2023 \|language=en}} \| {{cvt\|1433\|lb\|order=flip}}
align=right \| main armament \| 2× R-73 air-to-air missiles{{cite news \|last1=Olinynyk \|first1=Tetyana \|title=Ukrainian Magura drones equipped with anti-aircraft missiles – photo, video \|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/7/7454521/ \|access-date=18 May 2025 \|work=Ukrainska Pravda \|date=7 May 2024 \|language=en}} \| 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles or 1× machine gun
align=right \| battery autonomy \| Up to 60 hours \| At least 48 hours or up to 7 days with a generator
align=right \| operational range \| {{cvt\|800\|km}} \| Up to {{cvt\|1000\|km}}
align=right \| maximum speed \| {{cvt\|42\|kn}} \| {{cvt\|39\|kn}}
align=right \| cruising speed \| {{cvt\|22\|kn}} \| {{cvt\|23\|kn}}

class="wikitable"

+Comparison between variants{{cite news |last1=Altman |first1=Howard |title=Our Best Look Yet At Ukraine's AIM-9 Sidewinder-Toting Magura-7 Drone Boat |url=https://www.twz.com/sea/our-best-look-yet-at-ukraines-aim-9-sidewinder-toting-magura-7-drone-boat |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=The War Zone |date=15 May 2025}}

width=100px |

! width=40% | MAGURA V5

! width=40% |MAGURA V7

align=right | length

| {{cvt|5.5|m}}

| {{cvt|23.5|ft|order=flip}}

align=right | mass

| Up to {{cvt|1000|kg}}

| Less than {{cvt|2800|lb|order=flip}}

align=right | payload capacity

| {{cvt|300|kg}}{{cite news |title=Media Reveal Magura V5, the Ukrainian Naval Drone: Features and Specifications |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and_tech/media_reveal_magura_v5_the_ukrainian_naval_drone_features_and_specifications-7471.html |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=Defense Express |date=30 July 2023 |language=en}}

| {{cvt|1433|lb|order=flip}}

align=right | main armament

| 2× R-73 air-to-air missiles{{cite news |last1=Olinynyk |first1=Tetyana |title=Ukrainian Magura drones equipped with anti-aircraft missiles – photo, video |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/7/7454521/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=Ukrainska Pravda |date=7 May 2024 |language=en}}

| 2× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles
or 1× machine gun

align=right | battery autonomy

| Up to 60 hours

| At least 48 hours or up to 7 days with a generator

align=right | operational range

| {{cvt|800|km}}

| Up to {{cvt|1000|km}}

align=right | maximum speed

| {{cvt|42|kn}}

| {{cvt|39|kn}}

align=right | cruising speed

| {{cvt|22|kn}}

| {{cvt|23|kn}}

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.

Variants

MAGURA V5 − Original version.
MAGURA V6P − Multirole unmanned surface vehicle.{{cite news| title=Ukrainian Intelligence Unveils Magura V7 Sea Drone with Air Defense Capabilities |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukrainian_intelligence_unveils_magura_v7_sea_drone_with_air_defense_capabilities-14522.html |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=Defense Express |date=15 May 2025 |language=en}}
MAGURA V7 − An enlarged version powered by a {{cvt|270|hp}} diesel engine and armed with either a turret-mounted machine gun or anti-aircraft missiles, with the preferred configuration being two AIM-9 Sidewinders.

MAGURA V5#Variants

Development

Operational use

Tactical and technical characteristics

Variants

See also

Notes

References

Further reading