When people hear the word “drone,” they often imagine something flying in the sky. And in most cases, that’s true—drones are used in the air. But war accelerates innovation, and Ukraine’s Defense Forces have mastered not only the skies but also the seas with a new class of unmanned weaponry. The most prominent example is the Magura V5 sea drone, which has been targeting the russian navy since 2023, successfully sinking multiple vessels, and even taking down a russian helicopter. So what makes the Magura V5 maritime drone so unique?
When and Where Did the Magura Drone Appear?
The story began in late 2022 when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to create a fleet of Ukrainian sea drones. By July 2023, at the International Defence Industry Fair in Turkey, the Ukrainian company Spetstechnoexport unveiled the Magura V5 naval drone (short for Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus).
Since then, the Magura sea drone has been operated by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), playing a vital role in the Black Sea and disrupting the russian Black Sea Fleet.
Key Specifications of the Magura V5 Drone
The Magura V5 drone is built on a jet–ski–like platform, measuring 5.5 meters in length and 1.5 meters in width. With a cruising speed of 41 km/h and a top speed of 78 km/h, it boasts an impressive operational range of 833 km.
It can carry a 320 kg warhead and is armed with the R-73 air-to-air missile. This combination of speed, stealth, and firepower makes the Magura V5 naval strike drone highly maneuverable and difficult to detect, especially in open waters.
According to CNN, the control station for the Magura V5 marine drone is compact, requiring only a small crew to operate it. The drone is also capable of operating in swarm formations, significantly increasing its combat effectiveness.
As for the magura v5 drone cost, there are no official figures, but estimates suggest a price tag of around $250,000.
Successful Missions of the Magura V5 Naval Drone
The first recorded use of the Magura drone came on May 24, 2023, when three units attacked the russian reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs, located 140 kilometers northeast of the Bosporus Strait.
On November 10, Ukraine's intelligence service reported a successful strike on two russian Serna-class landing craft in occupied Crimea. These vessels were carrying both crew and armored vehicles like the BTR-82.
In February 2024, six Magura V5 drone boats struck the russian missile boat Ivanovets, sinking it and killing all 40 crew members.
Just a few days later, on Valentine's Day 2024, the magura naval drone sank the landing ship Caesar Kunikov.
Throughout spring 2024, the Magura V5 naval drone continued to strike russian patrol ships and small boats.
Perhaps the most remarkable success came at the end of the year. On December 31, HUR forces used the Magura V5 sea drone to shoot down a russian Mi-8 helicopter with an R-73 missile near Cape Tarkhankut in occupied Crimea—the first confirmed aerial kill by a naval drone in history.
To date, the Magura drone has destroyed or severely damaged at least 29 russian vessels. It is the first confirmed sea drone globally to eliminate multiple enemy assets in real combat conditions.
Why the Magura V5 Drone Matters to Ukraine
In wartime, innovation is crucial. The Magura 5 drone is not only an effective tool for destruction—it’s reshaping maritime warfare. Its efficiency and relatively low cost make it a game-changer against a numerically superior enemy.
Although Ukraine lacks a massive navy, the Magura V5 naval drone allows its Defense Forces to deliver precise, devastating strikes at sea, without risking sailors' lives.
Unlike traditional ships, these drones are cheaper and faster to build. They operate autonomously, endure hostile conditions, and accurately complete missions. This creates a psychological edge—russia's fleet no longer feels safe, even in its ports.
The Magura V5 drone proves that technology and ingenuity can outperform brute force. While russia once dominated the Black Sea, today it hides in fear. Ukrainian drones, like the Magura V5 naval drone, are the new rulers of the waters.