Russian FPV Drone Downs Ukrainian Magura V5 USV in Black Sea Encounter
Incident Marks First Documented Case of FPV Drone Targeting Naval Vessel
A Russian FPV drone intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian Magura V5 unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Black Sea on May 29.
The event, captured on video and widely circulated on social media platforms, depicts the explosives-laden Russian FPV drone flying towards the Ukrainian USV and striking it.
The incident occurred as the Magura V5 USV was reportedly heading towards the Crimean Peninsula. This marks the first documented case of an FPV drone targeting and neutralizing a naval drone in an active maritime confrontation.
The Magura V5, manufactured by FTE SPETSTECHNOEXPORT, boasts dimensions of 5.5 meters in length, 0.5 meters in height, and a payload capacity of 320 kilograms, with a range of 800 kilometers.
This encounter follows previous engagements involving the Magura V5. On February 1, 2024, Ukraine deployed the MAGURA V5 to destroy Russia's Ivanovets missile corvette near Lake Donuzlav in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian reports from the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) detailed that the MAGURA V5 USVs delivered six direct hits to the hull of the Russian vessel.
Furthermore, two weeks later, Russia's large landing ship, the "Caesar Kunikov," met a similar fate after being struck by MAGURA USVs guided by a NATO Global Hawk drone. Videos capturing the sinking of the "Caesar Kunikov" have circulated widely online. The MAGURA unmanned boats reportedly received guidance from a NATO Global Hawk drone during this operation.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that Magura V5 drones destroyed two Russian KS-701 Tunets (Tuna) boats in Vuzka Bay, Crimea, on May 30. The country’s military intelligence agency published a video of the attack, stating that the two vessels had been destroyed. According to the agency, its Group 13 unit attacked a boat depot with Magura V5 naval drones in Vuzka Bay, located near the town of Chornomorske on Crimea's western coast.
In response to the attack, Russian forces scrambled their aircraft 32 times, deploying Su-27/30/35 and MiG-29 jets, Be-12 and An-26 aircraft, and Ka-27/29 and Mi-8 helicopters, the statement read.
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