Sea drones from Ukraine: military intelligence service GUR presents Magura V7 as successor to the V5

The war for the Black Sea has effectively been won by the Ukrainian naval drone Magura V5, operated by Group 13 of the military intelligence service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (GUR). What is left of the Russian Black Sea Fleet lies in the port of Novorossiysk, protected by multiple barriers. Now GUR has presented the Magura V7, the successor among Ukraine's sea drones.

Next-generation sea drones: more size, weight and range

Compared with its predecessor, the Magura V7 has grown considerably: it measures 7.2 metres and displaces 3.4 tonnes. The new model now withstands sea state 3 instead of only sea state 2, and thus waves up to two metres high. A 270 hp diesel engine powers the drone; with a top speed of 23 knots it is slightly slower than its predecessor. In return, the tank holds 1,200 litres, allowing it to stay at sea for at least 48 hours and up to seven days. The range is up to 1,500 kilometres.

A payload of 650 kilograms allows it, among other things, to carry two AIM-9 Sidewinder or Vympel R-73 missiles.

Beyond combat use, however, the developers are also considering civilian variants. The Magura W6P, for example, is planned to handle logistics tasks such as cargo deliveries, but also patrols or firefighting.

Communication runs via a multi-channel satellite link that is protected against the effects of enemy electromagnetic warfare systems.

First successes have already been achieved: off the port of Novorossiysk, Ukraine used a platform of this type to shoot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jet (NATO: Flanker-H).

Seawolf to find buyers abroad

Ukraine's defence industry now wants to market its technological know-how internationally. It therefore presented the new multi-purpose unmanned surface vessel called Seawolf both at DEFEA 2025 in Athens and at the Defence24 Days in Poland.

Manufacturer Nordex/Ekskalibur offers six variants of the system. All versions are based on the same platform – hull, engine, propulsion, communications system, optics and control – whose parameters largely correspond to those of the Magura V7.

The mission equipment differs depending on the version:

• MG version: turret with 12.7-millimetre M2 machine gun
• MGR version: radar system
• Seawolf R version: four AIM-9 air-to-air missiles
• Seawolf EW version: electronic warfare (EW) equipment
• M version: can lay mines
• D version: carrier and launch platform for first-person view (FPV) drones

Russia plans naval regiments for unmanned systems

Russia has felt for itself how effective Ukraine's sea drones are. Now the Russian side also wants to set up its own naval regiments focused on the use of unmanned systems. The boats' range of tasks is to be broad, from reconnaissance and attack to the search for and neutralisation of mines.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, at least five such units are planned, three of them in the European part of the country and two for the Pacific Fleet. Photos of the first prototypes were published recently.