In a historic military first, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) claims it has shot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighter jets using U.S.-supplied AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles launched from Magura-7 drone boats. This marks the first time in history that fighter jets have been brought down by drone boats, and the first successful combat use of the AIM-9 missile from a sea drone.
“This is a historic moment,” Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR, told The War Zone. However, the outlet noted it could not independently confirm the claim.
The incident occurred on Friday in the Black Sea. Previous reports from GUR, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, and Russian Telegram channels mentioned that one of the jets had been shot down using a modified Soviet R-73 missile. Video evidence of the first jet being shot down surfaced on social media. Budanov said there is no footage of the second jet.
According to Budanov, three Magura-7 drone boats were involved in the attack. Two of them launched missiles at the Russian aircraft. The Magura-7 is an air defense version of the earlier Magura-5 drone, though Budanov did not provide further technical details.
The pilot crew of the first downed jet survived and was rescued by a civilian ship in the Black Sea. The crew of the second jet is believed to have died, Budanov said.
This isn’t the first time Ukraine has claimed to shoot down a Russian aircraft using a drone boat. In December, the GUR said it used a similar method to down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using an R-73 missile. A video of that incident was also released.
Budanov said the GUR began fitting AIM-9 missiles on drone boats in January 2025. He declined to confirm whether this was the first time one was actually fired at a target. Previously, only Soviet-era missiles like the R-73 were seen on Ukrainian sea drones.
“We use a couple of missile types on our Magura-7, but the AIM-9 gives the best results,” Budanov said.
The AIM-9M missile, used in this incident, is similar in size and function to the Soviet R-73. However, it offers better performance, including stronger resistance to countermeasures, better tracking of targets, and a low-smoke engine. The AIM-9M lacks the R-73’s ability to lock onto targets at extreme angles, which may limit its effectiveness if not properly aimed. Because drone boats are not known to have movable launchers, they must turn toward their targets to aim properly.
Ukraine reportedly received a number of AIM-9Ms from the United States and possibly other Western allies. While some believed the missiles would be used on Ukrainian fighter jets, this has not yet been confirmed. The AIM-9s could also be integrated into Ukraine’s improvised “FrankenSAM” air defense systems.
Russian military bloggers on Telegram confirmed that one Su-30 was shot down by a missile launched from a drone boat. Many of them criticized the Russian military’s inability to defend against such attacks.
The “War Correspondent Kitten” channel listed several concerns: Ukraine now has the upper hand in the Black Sea, the Russian fleet remains weakened after losing several ships including the Moskva cruiser, and Ukraine has gained a significant edge with its unmanned surface vessels (USVs).
Russian military analyst Vladislav Shurygin said the Ukrainian drone boats used the same method as in past attacks—luring the Russian jets out and then ambushing them. He added that the pilots survived thanks to rescue by civilian sailors.
Shurygin also criticized the Russian military for being unprepared, noting that Ukraine had already used similar tactics before. He said that Russia has the tools to stop these attacks but has not used them effectively.
Russia began using first-person view (FPV) drones to fight Ukrainian drone boats in May 2024. Another Russian channel, “Two Majors,” called for a new approach to coastal defense. They suggested turning to unmanned aircraft systems to counter threats in the Black Sea, similar to how drones are used on land.
Two Majors also proposed combining ZALA surveillance drones with Lancet loitering munitions, stating that these tools would be more effective in the relatively undefended skies over the sea.
Ukraine’s ability to shoot down fast-moving fighter jets with sea-based drones shows how much their military technology has evolved. This new tactic poses a growing threat to Russian aircraft operating over the Black Sea.
