Ukraine has confirmed that two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighter jets were shot down by uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) in the Black Sea on May 2. These are the first fighter jets in history to be destroyed by a surface drone. More details are now available following new statements from Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Naval News has revealed that the drones used in the operation were not the previously assumed Magura V5 model but a larger and more advanced version— the Magura V7. This marks the first public disclosure of the V7 variant.
A New Type of Drone: The Magura V7
Unlike the older Sea Dragon configuration—which used the AA-11 Archer missile and was based on a wider platform with fixed launch rails—the Magura V7 is a scaled-up version of the standard Magura V5. The V5 is known for ramming enemy ships with explosive charges. The V7, however, measures about 8 meters (26 feet) in length compared to the V5’s 5.5 meters (18 feet).
The V7 is more refined and seems to reflect lessons learned from earlier models. It features a reshaped bow for better performance in rough seas and is equipped with multiple antennas and sensors. Notably, it does not show signs of having a bow-mounted explosive, suggesting its loadout can be customized.
Armed with Sidewinder Missiles
The Magura V7 used in the May 2 strike carried two U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. These were mounted on aircraft launch rails that can be elevated for targeting. The Sidewinder has similar range and performance to the Soviet-designed R-73 (AA-11 Archer), which Ukraine had previously deployed on drones.
While the theoretical range of the missile is up to 10 kilometers, in real-world operations, the effective range may be much shorter due to targeting limitations from a surface-based platform.
Redefining Naval Warfare
The success of Ukraine’s armed USVs marks a turning point in modern naval combat. These drones are proving to be not just tools of sabotage or surveillance, but full-fledged combat systems capable of taking out advanced enemy aircraft. The Magura V7’s performance shows Ukraine’s increasing ability to innovate on the battlefield using compact, flexible, and hard-to-detect platforms.
As Ukraine continues to expand its drone capabilities, experts say this technology could reshape the nature of maritime warfare for years to come.
