A Ukrainian Drone Vessel Successfully Brings Down a Russian Helicopter
Around half a year ago, innovative Ukrainian engineers joined forces to combine various sensors and IR-guided R-73 air-to-air missiles, which were temporarily lent from the Ukrainian air force. They mounted this collective creation onto some of the Ukrainian intelligence directorate's Magura V5 drone assault boats.
More recently, one of these 18-foot Magura V5 drones engaged in a conflict with a Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter armed with guns. Remarkably, the Magura V5 managed to bring down the Mi-8, marking the first aerial victory by an unmanned surface vehicle and foreshadowing a shift in naval warfare tactics. "Historic strike," the intelligence directorate boasted, sharing footage of the encounter.
This year, Ukraine's one-time-use drone boats, including the Magura V5s and Sea Babies, have cause significant damage to the weakened Russian Black Sea Fleet. In separate assaults on Crimean harbors in February, May, and June, these drones filled with explosives sank a corvette, a landing ship, a patrol boat, and a tugboat.
Following these sinkings, the Russian Black Sea Fleet was reduced to less than two-thirds of its pre-war strength.
In an attempt to safeguard what remains of their fleet, the Russian navy strengthened defenses around naval bases in Crimea and southern Russia. Now, these bases are monitored by helicopters, Raptor patrol boats, and other assets.
To better equip its satellite-guided Sea Babies and Magura V5s for these enhanced defenses, Ukraine began upgrading its drones in the spring. Some received remote-controlled turrets for heavy machine guns, while others received the R-73 upgrade.
This R-73 upgrade was first employed in May, and it left Russian aircrew puzzled. "The Ukrainians managed to integrate the [R-73] rocket with the USV's telecontrol systems," the Fighterbomber Telegram channel mused.
In early December, gun-equipped Sea Babies operated by the Ukrainian federal security service set sail for the first time. They even attempted to shoot down the Mi-8s that approached them, potentially causing damage to at least one helicopter. The Ukrainian federal security service reported casualties among the helicopter crew.
Although the helicopter endured the confrontation, it would take another three weeks before a Magura V drone successfully downed an aerial target. "This is an extraordinary event with significant repercussions for Russia's operations in the Black Sea," observed Finnish analyst Joni Askola.
Moreover, it is plausible that Ukraine could adapt the same sensors and missiles to ground robots. "If Ukraine can replicate this feat using unmanned ground vehicles at a low cost," Askola pointed out, "it could improve Ukraine's close-range air defense capabilities."
- Despite Russia strengthening defenses around their naval bases in Crimea and southern Russia with helicopters, Raptor patrol boats, and other assets, Ukraine continues to upgrade its Sea Babies and Magura V5 drones with remote-controlled turrets and the R-73 missile system.
- The Russian Black Sea Fleet has suffered significant losses due to attacks by Ukraine's one-time-use drone boats, including the Magura V5s and Sea Babies, which sank a corvette, a landing ship, a patrol boat, and a tugboat in separate incidents.
- In response to the upgraded Ukrainian drones equipped with the R-73 missile system, the Russian aircrew expressed confusion, as they hadn't expected the integration of such advanced weaponry into the Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs).
