Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) have carried out the world's first intercept of a Russian Shahed drone using an interceptor drone launched from an unmanned surface vessel, according to the SBS's official Telegram channel. The operation was conducted by the naval drone division of the 412th Nemesis Brigade and adds a new layer of maritime air defense for Ukrainian cities on the Black Sea coast.
A world first: interceptor launched from a naval drone
The naval drone division of the 412th Nemesis Brigade carried out the intercept during operations in the maritime zone. An interceptor drone launched from an unmanned surface vessel (USV) — a crewless boat — tracked and destroyed a Shahed — a Russian long-range kamikaze drone carrying a 50 kg warhead in its standard configuration, with some modifications carrying up to 90 kg.
The type of USV used was not disclosed.
Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi noted that in March, a Magura-series naval drone received a new modification designed to launch interceptor drones, and suggested the platform seen in the released footage may be a Magura-based vessel — though this has not been confirmed. The vessel is also visibly equipped with a machine gun module, likely for self-defense and close-range engagement.
Why it matters for Odesa and other coastal cities
Russia regularly launches Shahed attacks from occupied Crimea across the Black Sea, targeting Odesa and other coastal areas. Pushing interceptor capability out to sea onto unmanned platforms means Russia's drones face a new threat layer before reaching the coastline, well away from populated areas.
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The system also keeps operators safe. In late March, during a mass drone attack, Ukrainian forces used at least two remote interceptor control systems simultaneously over the sea — one of unspecified type and one HORNET VISION Ctrl. Militarnyi noted that Ukraine's remote-control technologies — including HORNET VISION Ctrl — allow interceptor operators to operate from underground command posts far from the launch platform. Pre-positioned autonomous launch containers can be placed along likely Shahed approach routes and activated remotely, with no operator exposed at sea.
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Nemesis and Ukraine's naval drones
The 412th Nemesis Brigade has previously destroyed over $300 mn worth of Russian air defense systems in a single week and conducted deep strikes across Russia.
Using naval platforms as interceptor carriers is not entirely new — in early March, the Ukrainian Navy's naval drone carrier destroyed a Russian Ka-27 helicopter using an FPV drone.
Ukraine's Magura-series naval drones, operated by the Main Directorate of Intelligence, have also shot down Russian Su-30 fighter jets using air-to-air missiles. The maritime Shahed intercept extends that aerial kill capability to a new class of target.
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