Ukrainian Intelligence Claims Sea Drone Downed Russian Fighter Jet in World-First Strike
In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, HUR, has claimed that a sea drone strike carried out by its forces has destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet. According to HUR, this marks the first time a sea drone has taken down a jet.
The operation, which was carried out on May 2 near the Russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea, was conducted by Group 13, a special unit within HUR, using a Magura sea drone equipped with a missile warhead. The strike was coordinated with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and the country’s defense forces.
"This is the world’s first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone," HUR said in a statement, as reported by the Kyiv Independent. The multi-role Su-30 fighter, valued at approximately $50 million, was reportedly hit in midair and crashed into the sea.
While the Kyiv Independent cannot independently confirm the Ukrainian intelligence report, HUR released video footage of the strike. This latest development highlights the evolving tactics and capabilities of Ukraine’s military in its conflict with Russia.
Ukraine has previously utilised the Magura V5 drone to down two Russian Mi-8 helicopters on December 31, 2024, in what was then considered a world-first drone strike on airborne targets from the sea. The use of sea drones by Ukraine has been seen as a significant development in the conflict, allowing the country’s military to target Russian forces in new and innovative ways.
In related news, overnight on May 3, local Russian officials claimed that a Ukrainian drone attack on Krasnodar Krai injured four people and damaged homes and a grain terminal in Novorossiysk. A state of emergency was declared in the city, while the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that over 170 Ukrainian drones and several naval drones were intercepted across Crimea and the Black Sea.
The use of drones and other unmanned systems has become increasingly prominent in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. As reported by the Kyiv Independent, President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine will increase production of drones, including "the full range of drones: from Mavics to long-range drones." This move is seen as part of Ukraine’s efforts to bolster its military capabilities and respond to the evolving nature of modern warfare.
The development of sea drones and their use in combat operations has significant implications for the future of warfare. As HUR noted, the destruction of the Su-30 fighter jet by a sea drone marks a world-first strike. The Kyiv Independent will continue to monitor and report on developments in this conflict.
According to the source, Ukrainian Intelligence Says Sea Drone Downs Russian Fighter Jet in World-First Strike, this event showcases a new era in military tactics.
The Kyiv Independent has been providing in-depth coverage of the conflict in Ukraine, including the use of drones and other unmanned systems by both sides. The newspaper’s reporting has highlighted the significant developments in Ukraine’s military capabilities and the evolving nature of the conflict.
