Ukrainian forces have effectively pushed Russian warships eastward through successful drone attacks. The shift has allowed Ukraine to resume billion-dollar exports from Odesa while forcing Russia to rely on civilian vessels for military transport.
Russia’s Black Sea fleet has suffered severe damage from Ukrainian naval drone attacks, prompting the deployment of ship-based Orion UAVs for the first time.
Technical analysis shows specialized missile modifications and targeting system adaptations enabled Ukraine's historic downing of Russia's helicopter by USV.
Ukraine's defense intelligence says maritime drones, particularly Magura V5, provide a strategic advantage in the Black Sea against Russia's larger fleet. With an 800 km range, these drones can reach well into the Azov Sea, yet the agency is cautious about their deployment.
Ukraine carried out another maritime drone operation in occupied Crimea's northwest, resulting in the sinking of a Russian tug boat after breaching Chornomorske Port's boom defense.
Ukrainian naval drones operated by intelligence forces struck and destroyed two Russian KS-701 Tunets patrol boats near occupied Crimea's Chornomorsk, HUR says
Ukraine's Magura V5 naval drones, successful in sinking Russian ships, aim for upgrades to improve defense against Russian attack helicopters and ship armament during suicide missions, enhancing their capabilities in challenging Russia's Black Sea Fleet dominance.
Ukrainian intelligence agency says its unit has sunk the Russian Black Sea Fleet's patrol ship Sergei Kotov last night near the Kerch Strait, using five Magura V5 maritime drones.