During the Russia-Ukraine War, which began in February 2022, Ukraine lost its already limited naval power early in the conflict. Ukrainian Navy missile boats were quickly sunk, and the country’s only frigate was decommissioned to prevent it from falling into Russian hands. With the balance of power at sea tipping in Russia’s favor, Russian forces carried out amphibious landings and launched missile attacks on Ukrainian coastal areas.
To counter Russian dominance in the Black Sea, the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence (Ukrainian Military Intelligence) started developing a kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle (USV) in late 2022. The MAGURA V5 (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus V-type) conducted its first attack in May 2023.
| Mission Types of MAGURA V5 USV |
|---|
| Surveillance |
| Reconnaissance |
| Patrol, search and rescue |
| Naval fleet security |
| Mine warfare |
| Combat missions |
The first recorded attack occurred on May 24, 2023, targeting the Russian Navy’s Ivan Khurs reconnaissance ship, located 140 km northeast of the Bosphorus Strait. Group 13 (MAGURA V5 Unit) employs a saturation attack concept, striking targets from multiple points. To date, the damage inflicted on the Russian Navy by MAGURA USVs exceeds $500 million USD.
Since May 2023, the MAGURA V5 kamikaze USV has attacked 14 Russian military vessels, sinking eight of them. Ukraine holds the record for the most warships sunk by kamikaze USVs, with the MAGURA V5 being the most successful of its kind.
The MAGURA V5’s carbon-fiber hull renders it vulnerable to enemy machine gun fire. Many MAGURA USVs have been destroyed by machine gun fire from Russian warships and helicopters. In May 2024, some MAGURA units were equipped with R-73 air-to-air missiles to defend against low-flying aircraft.
| Specifications of MAGURA V5 USV | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5.5 meters |
| Beam | 1.5 meters |
| Draft | 0.4 meters |
| Weight | Approximately 800-1000 kg |
| Payload Capacity | Approximately 250-300 kg |
| Main Propulsion | 300 hp, water jet |
| Speed | 22 knots cruising speed, 42 knots maximum speed |
| Range | Over 450 nautical miles (800+ km) |
| Additional Systems | Two Starlink satellite internet antennas and a U.S.-made Kymeta satellite communication antenna |
| Unit Cost | $273,000 USD |
This comprehensive overview highlights the strategic and operational importance of the MAGURA V5 in Ukraine’s naval defense efforts.
