Maritime Drones Becoming Flagship of the Ukrainian Navy (Yuri Lapaiev – The Jamestown Foundation)

The September 24 Ukrainian naval drone attack on oil terminals in Novorossiysk and Tuapse marked the first time that Ukraine has used maritime drones to attack Russian oil industry facilities. Ukraine’s development of advanced maritime drones like the Magura and SeaBaby have demonstrated high effectiveness, sinking ships, striking aircraft, and even damaging infrastructure like the Kerch Bridge. With proven combat success, Ukraine plans controlled exports of naval drones, while Russia and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) advance their own programs, intensifying competition in unmanned maritime warfare technologies.

Maritime Drones Becoming Flagship of the Ukrainian Navy – Jamestown