Ukraine and Russia in the Age of Sea Drones: A New Maritime Battlefield

At the Defense Tech Innovation Forum 2025 held in Kyiv on February 18–19, Brigadier General Ivan Lukashevych of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) made a striking revelation: Russia is now attempting to replicate Ukraine’s success in using sea drones. Two years late, Russian forces are trying to develop unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and maritime tactics similar to those that Ukrainian forces have used to cripple Russian naval assets.

According to Lukashevych, Ukraine’s pioneering use of sea drones for long-range strikes has had a significant impact on the war, forcing Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) into retreat and weakening its ability to operate freely. However, he emphasized that Ukraine is determined to maintain its edge, with new defensive measures already in development to counter Russian drone warfare at sea.

Ukraine’s Lead in Maritime Drone Warfare

Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has used innovation to offset Russia’s numerical and technological advantage. This was particularly evident in naval warfare, where Ukraine lacked a conventional fleet to challenge the Russian BSF. To compensate, Ukraine developed sea drones, making them a cornerstone of its strategy to attack Russian ships and infrastructure.

Two of the most successful USVs deployed by Ukraine are the Magura V5 and the Sea Baby, which evolved from basic explosive-laden boats into sophisticated multi-role platforms capable of long-range, high-precision operations.

By early 2025, Ukraine had introduced variants with extended ranges of up to 1,700 kilometers, allowing them to conduct deep strikes into Russian-controlled waters. The Magura V5 can carry payloads between 200-320 kg and travel between 800-1,000 km, while the upgraded Sea Baby can carry up to 860 kg over similar distances.

Weaponized and Versatile Drones

Not content with merely increasing range, Ukrainian engineers have transformed sea drones into versatile combat platforms. Since late 2024, Ukraine has introduced sea drones armed with:

• Air-to-air missiles: In a world-first, Ukrainian developers mounted Soviet-era R-73 air-to-air missiles on Magura V5 drones, enabling them to shoot down Russian helicopters and aircraft.
• Machine gun turrets: Drones like the Tavria-14.5 were equipped with 14.5mm machine guns, allowing them to engage enemy boats and drones.
• Thermobaric launchers: In December 2024, Ukraine used a Sea Baby drone armed with six thermobaric rocket launchers to attack Russian naval targets in Sevastopol harbor.

These innovations have forced Russia’s Black Sea Fleet to withdraw its key assets from Sevastopol and reposition them further east, limiting their operational effectiveness.

Ukraine’s Tactical Edge: Coordinated Drone Strikes and Swarms

Ukraine’s success in sea drone warfare has not only been about technology but also tactics. Ukrainian forces employ:

• Reconnaissance UAVs for precision targeting: Drones scout ahead to identify targets and assess post-strike damage.
• Drone swarms for overwhelming attacks: Ukraine often launches groups of three to five USVs in coordinated strikes.

One of the most notable examples of this strategy came in March 2024, when Ukrainian forces overwhelmed and destroyed the Russian patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait using a swarm of multiple drone boats.

Additionally, in January 2025, Ukrainian drone boats fitted with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) conducted attacks near Pokrovskoe and Pokrovka on the Kinburn Spit, further demonstrating their adaptability.

Russia’s Response: A New Sea Drone Program

Despite being slow to develop a comparable sea drone capability, Russia is now accelerating its efforts. The first confirmed Russian unmanned boat attack occurred in May 2024, targeting a Ukrainian shoreline position. Since then, Russia has significantly increased production of drone boats, as confirmed by Russian presidential aide Nikolai Patrushev in a recent interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

Patrushev stated:

“The Russian Navy is already being equipped with unmanned boats. Their production has been significantly increased, taking into account the experience of the special military operation.”

He also revealed that Russia is integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies into these systems.

KMZ Vizir: Russia’s Hunter-Killer Drone

One of Russia’s new drone models is the KMZ Vizir, developed by Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant (KMZ). In October 2024, KMZ’s Managing Director, Mikhail Danilenko, claimed that tests had successfully demonstrated the drone’s ability to hunt and destroy Ukrainian kamikaze drones that bypass Russia’s coastal defenses.

The KMZ Vizir is a multi-purpose USV, capable of:

• Intercepting Ukrainian drones
• Transporting cargo and ammunition
• Undertaking surveillance and reconnaissance missions
• Providing fire support with light missiles

According to Danilenko, the Vizir is armed with six to eight small missiles, each costing approximately 500,000 rubles. These missiles are equipped with cameras for precise targeting and detonation.

The KMZ Vizir has an operational range of 500 km and a top speed of 80 kph. More importantly, it is built entirely from domestically produced components, ensuring independence from foreign suppliers amid Western sanctions.

Murena-300S: Russia’s Answer to Magura V5

At the Army 2024 defense show, a Russian defense contractor, LLC KB Center for Unmanned Systems, unveiled the Murena-300S sea drone.

Closely resembling Ukraine’s Magura V5 and Sea Baby, the Murena-300S features:

• A 500 km range
• A top speed of 45 knots
• A 500 kg payload capacity
• Missions including mine-laying, mine clearance, reconnaissance, and fire support

Interestingly, the Murena-300S was spotted with a Starlink antenna, suggesting that Russia may attempt to use Starlink for its own drone operations—a technology heavily relied upon by Ukraine.

Why Russia Was Slow to Develop Sea Drones

Unlike Ukraine, Russia’s naval strategy has been primarily defensive, given that Ukraine lacks warships. The BSF’s role has been more about protecting occupied territories and enforcing blockades than engaging in high-seas combat.

Additionally, Russia’s primary war objectives remain land-focused, with the priority being:

1. Securing Russian-speaking regions under Ukrainian control
2. Degrading Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities
3. Defending occupied areas in the Donbas and Crimea

These priorities may explain why Russia only recently began developing offensive and defensive USVs.

While Ukraine retains the technological and tactical edge, Russia’s recent developments suggest that a new phase of maritime warfare is emerging. If Russia’s KMZ Vizir and Murena-300S drones prove effective, Ukraine may face increased challenges in its sea drone operations.

However, Ukraine has continuously outpaced Russia in drone warfare, innovating faster and deploying more versatile and lethal systems. Brigadier General Lukashevych’s statements at the Defense Tech Innovation Forum 2025 indicate that Ukraine is already working on countermeasures to neutralize Russian drones.

As Russia and Ukraine intensify their maritime drone race, one thing is clear: the Black Sea is no longer just a battlefield for warships—it has become the proving ground for the future of autonomous naval warfare.