Profile
- Type
- Explosive unmanned surface vessel
- Conflict side
- Ukraine
- Origin
- Ukraine
- Service note
- Russia-Ukraine War, 2022-present
Aircraft & UAVs
Ukrainian Explosive Naval Drones
Ukrainian explosive naval drones are low-profile unmanned surface vessels developed during the Russia-Ukraine War to extend Ukrainian strike reach in the Black Sea. The family includes MAGURA V5 drones associated with Defence Intelligence of Ukraine operations and Sea Baby drones associated with the Security Service of Ukraine, pairing remote or semi-autonomous control with large explosive payloads for attacks on Russian naval targets.
Service History
- In service
- Operational Ukrainian use documented from 2023
- Used by
- Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Security Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces
- Wars
- Russia-Ukraine War
Production History
- Designer
- Ukrainian defense-industry and state-security development programs
- Designed
- Disclosed publicly from 2022-2023
- Built in
- Ukraine
- Unit cost
- Sea Baby fundraising price listed by United24 as USD 221,000 per drone
- Produced
- 2022-present
- Number built
- Undisclosed
- Variants
- MAGURA V5, Sea Baby, Earlier Ukrainian explosive boat designs
Specifications
- Crew
- Uncrewed; operated remotely with autonomous or semi-autonomous navigation modes depending on variant
- Payload
- MAGURA V5 disclosed with about 300 kg explosive payload; Sea Baby listed with up to 850 kg combat load
- Range
- MAGURA V5 reported at about 800 km operational range; Sea Baby listed at up to 1000 km
- Speed
- MAGURA V5 reported at up to 42 knots; Sea Baby listed at up to 90 km/h
- Dimensions
- MAGURA V5 reported as 5.5 m long and 1.5 m wide; Sea Baby listed as 6 m long and 2 m wide
- Guidance
- Manual control through wireless mesh or satellite communication, with autonomous options described for MAGURA V5
Conflict Usage
- Russia-Ukraine War
- Side: Ukraine
Ukrainian intelligence and security-service units use explosive unmanned surface vessels such as MAGURA V5 and Sea Baby against Russian Black Sea Fleet ships, patrol craft, and maritime infrastructure.
Related Weapon Systems
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Arash-2Long-range one-way attack UAV / loitering munitionThe Arash-2 is an Iranian long-range one-way attack UAV, also described as a loitering munition or suicide drone, associated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces. Open sources describe it as a larger Arash/Kian-family strike system with rocket-assisted launch, reported passive-radar or seeker options, and claimed ranges up to about 2,000 km for attacks on fixed or emitting targets.
MAGURA V5Unmanned surface vesselThe MAGURA V5 is a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel built for reconnaissance, patrol, mine-warfare, fleet-security, and strike missions. In the Russia-Ukraine War it became one of Ukraine's best documented naval drones, used by Defence Intelligence units for long-range Black Sea attacks against Russian naval vessels.
Shahed-136Long-range one-way attack UAVThe Shahed-136 is an Iranian-designed long-range one-way attack UAV, also fielded by Russia as the Geran-2 and by the Houthis as the Waid-2. Its low-cost airframe, GNSS-guided point-target flight profile, and mass-launch tactics have made it a prominent saturation-strike weapon in Ukraine, the Red Sea, and Iran-linked regional conflicts.
WarmateLoitering munitionWarmate is a Polish electric loitering munition from WB Electronics/WB Group, designed as a portable reconnaissance-strike system with interchangeable warheads, autonomous flight modes, and video-guided terminal attack. In the Russia-Ukraine War it has been documented in Ukrainian service for precision attacks on Russian air-defense and surveillance radars.
ZALA LancetLoitering munitionThe ZALA Lancet is a Russian electric loitering munition with a distinctive dual X-wing layout, launched from a catapult and guided by an onboard television channel for terminal attack. In the Russia-Ukraine War it became one of Russia's prominent tactical strike UAVs, used against Ukrainian artillery, air-defense systems, armor, vehicles, and other battlefield targets.
AN-196 LiutyiLong-range one-way attack UAVThe AN-196 Liutyi is a Ukrainian long-range one-way attack UAV developed after Russia began large-scale Shahed-type drone attacks. Open sources describe it as a runway-launched, twin-boom pusher aircraft built for deep strikes with a 75 kg-class warhead and a published range goal above 1,000 km, making it part of Ukraine's campaign against Russian refinery, logistics, industrial, and military targets far beyond the front line.Sources
This is BattleshipPublisher: United24 | Note: Official Ukrainian government fundraiser page identifying Sea Baby as an SBU product and listing dimensions, speed, range, combat load, and unit fundraising price. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Media Reveal Magura V5, the Ukrainian Naval Drone: Features and SpecificationsPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Supports MAGURA V5 background, SpetsTechnoExport disclosure context, payload, range, control methods, and multipurpose mission description. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Naval Drones of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Dominate the Black SeaPublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Directly supports Russia-Ukraine War use of MAGURA unmanned marine vehicles and lists multiple Black Sea attacks attributed to DIU naval drones. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Kyrylo Budanov: 'Ivanoviets' Was Sunk by Six MAGURA Naval DronesPublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Directly supports MAGURA V5 conflict-use context for the February 2024 Ivanovets attack. | Accessed: 2026-06-20'sergei kotov' Enemy Warship DestroyedPublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Directly supports MAGURA V5 conflict-use context for the March 2024 Sergey Kotov attack near the Kerch Strait. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Category:MAGURA V5Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Wikimedia-hosted MAGURA V5 media used in the entry gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20