Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian engineers are developing drones capable of conducting missions in oceanic waters.
“We started with simple kamikaze sea drones. Then we developed drones with turrets capable of shooting down helicopters. Now we have drones that can take out Russian fighter jets from the sea. We have also built boats that carry other drones, as well as boats that strike land targets from the sea,” President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled in an address to the UK Parliament.
He added that Ukrainian manufacturers are now developing more resilient drones capable of operating longer and more effectively at sea.
“Soon—and not in the distant future—we will have systems able to operate even in ocean conditions. We are also actively working on underwater systems,” the president said.
Ukrainian maritime drones have neutralized the Russian Navy’s advantage in the Black Sea, effectively forcing it back into Russian ports. The most well-known sea drones include MAGURA V5, Sea Baby, and “Marichka.”
- MAGURA V5 of the Main Intelligence Directorate inflicted the highest number of strikes on Russian ships. These drones can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h with a range of up to 800 km.
- Sea Baby, used by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), has targeted the Crimean Bridge and other Russian positions. It carries a warhead of 400–850 kg with a range exceeding 1,000 km. “Sea Babies” can also carry multiple rocket launcher systems (e.g., “Grad”) to strike coastal targets or serve as remote mine layers.
- “Marichka” is a large underwater drone, up to 6 meters long with a range of 1,000 km. It can lie in wait on the seabed and attack a ship at its most vulnerable point—below the waterline.
“Facing threats in the Black Sea, we are finding the right security solutions. These solutions can also help solve other challenges, such as those today in the Strait of Hormuz. Drones can address problems that even a navy sometimes cannot,” Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized.
