Magura USV

The Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus (MAGURA) is a multi-purpose uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) developed for Ukrainian defense intelligence and armed forces units. The Magura is capable of configuration for a variety of missions including surveillance, reconnaissance, patrol, mine countermeasures, search-and-rescue, asset protection and attack. They are capable of being deployed alone or in multi-unit swarm operations.
A single operator can control a Magura USV via a remote control device with associated screens, keys and switches. Cameras and sensors onboard provide situational awareness to the operator.

HULL: These unmanned watercraft resemble low-silhouette, covered speedboats with a V-shaped hydrodynamic hull. A low waterline height of 1 ft 8 in (0.5 m), sleek profile and low heat emission enhance the stealth characteristics of these
USVs.
The Magura V5 measures 18 ft 1 in (5.5 m) long, with a width of 4 ft 11 in (1.5 m) and a draft of 1 ft 4 in (0.4 m).

ENGINEERING: The Magura USV uses an unknown propulsion system speculated to incorporate an electric or hybrid engine. It can attain a cruising speed of 22 knots and a maximum speed of 42 knots. It has a maximum range of 450 nm (833 km).

ARMAMENT: These USVs have a payload capacity of 705 lb (320 kg) of explosives. An unclear number of later units are fitted with two AA-11 Archer (Russian R-73) missiles for air defense.

SENSORS/ELECTRONICS: A mesh radio with an aerial repeater or satellite communication (SATCOM) connection such as Starlink provides communication for the drone. A forward looking infrared sensor (FLIR) is mounted forward on the body. An unknown number of thermal imaging and high-resolution optical cameras are equipped. A marine radar is fitted.

NOMENCLATURE: Magura is a Slavic goddess of war and victory.

In service with the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR).

The Magura unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was developed in response to the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. A part of a wave of USVs put into development in summer of 2022, the first Magura prototype came online in September 2022. Though initially developed for the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the program was dropped by the SBU in favor of other projects including the Sea Baby USV, after which the concept was picked up by the Ministry of Defense’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR).

A USV resembling a Magura prototype was reportedly found or captured by Russian forces in September 2022.

In November 2022, the Ukrainian government announced the development of a combat surface drone with a range of approximately 700 nm (800 km), believed to be the Magura.

The Magura V5 USV design was displayed publicly under that name for the first time at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkey in July 2023. On July 29, 2023, CNN confirmed that the Magura was not only on display but in operational use. The Magura was further displayed at the London Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in September 2023.

Ukraine’s Euromaidan Press site reported on March 14, 2023, that the Ukrainian Armed Forces planned to upgrade the Magura V5 with enhanced weaponry to improve combat efficiency against ground, surface and air targets. Additional capabilities were also reportedly under consideration, including the ability to temporarily dive underwater.

The War Zone reported on Nov. 22, 2023, that Russian forces had captured an intact Magura V5 drone. The article cited Russian military Telegram channels which supported the claim with photos.

In a March 4, 2024, interview with the Ukrainian Pravda newspaper, a GUR commander confirmed specialists were equipping unmanned platforms, including the Magura, with air defense equipment.

Ukrainian news site Militarnyi shared images on March 1, 2024, from Russian sources which showed a dismantled Magura V5, possibly the same which was captured in November 2023.

A full-sized Magura V5 drone was displayed at the June 2024 Eurosatory defense exhibition in Paris.

The Ukrainian government confirmed on June 17, 2024, that the GUR had equipped AA-11 Archer (Russian R-73) missiles onto Magura V5 units. It is unclear if the armament is standard for all units or only on select USVs.

On July 11, 2024, the Kyiv Post republished a study from the Polish Political Science and Security Studies Journal which found that the Magura V5 had been the most effective naval drone used in the Ukraine War. The study found that Ukrainian USVs had hit 22 warships since the beginning of the war, destroying eight, with the Magura responsible for 14 strikes and all eight sinkings.

As of Aug. 10, 2024, the GUR claimed Maguras had hit 18 warships of the Russian navy, destroying nine (See Operational Notes section for more).

SpetsTechnoExport (STE), Kyiv, Ukraine

 Ukraine
   Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR)

 WEIGHTS
   Payload                 705 lb (320 kg)           
 DIMENSIONS
   Length                  18 ft  1 in (5.5 m)
   Width                    4 ft 11 in (1.5 m)
   Draft                    1 ft  4 in (0.4 m)
   Height, above waterline
                            1 ft  8 in (0.5 m)
 PERFORMANCE
   Speed
      cruise               22 knots
      maximum              42 knots
   Range                   450 nm (833 km)
 ARMAMENT
   Missiles                2 x AA-11 Archer (R-73) (On some units) 
 SENSORS/ELECTRONICS 
   Radar                   1 x marine radar
   Cameras                 1 x forward looking infrared sensor (FLIR)
                           Unknown no. thermal imaging
                           Unknown no. high-resolution optical
   Communications          Mesh radio w/ aerial repeater or SATCOM

The Magura underwent rapid prototyping due to the wartime conditions of the Ukraine War. The currently in service model, Magura V5 is the most modern as of 2024.

In an interview with the Ukrainian magazine Pravda, a developer in the Magura program stated that wave impacts and pressure drops caused strain on the USV body, making stabilizer development a challenge.

The Magura USV has seen extensive use in the Black Sea during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Prototype Magura drones were launched in Sevastopol Bay on Sept. 16, 2022, on a combat deployment, however the attack failed due to a communications outage.

The first successful deployment of the Magura drone took place on Oct. 29, 2022, when several USVs took part in an attack on the ADMIRAL GRIGORIVICH-class frigate ADMIRAL MAKAROV docked in the port of Sevastopol. The drones breached the defenses of the port, striking the frigate causing minor damage.

Magura drones were used to attack the Russian intelligence vessel IVAN KHURS per photos released on May 24, 2023. The attack occurred approximately 65 nm (120 km) from Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait, causing damage to the ship but failing to sink it.

On June 11, 2023, six drone boats believed the be Magura V5 USVs unsuccessfully attempted to attack the intelligence vessel PRIAZOVYE while the ship was on patrol in the Black Sea approximately 160 nm (300 km) south of Sevastopol.

The GUR conducted one of the most successful Magura attacks on the night of Nov. 10, 2023, with a swarm of the drones being used to track and strike two Russian high-speed landing craft, one SERNA class and one ONDATRA class. The GUR claimed both ships were destroyed in dock at Chornomorske, Crimea. Video footage shows multiple successful strikes on at least one Russian ship. The Kyiv Post, citing Ukrainian military officials, reported that the SERNA-class vessel D-144 was destroyed, along with the ONDATRA-class vessel D-295.

Between the night of Jan. 31 and morning of Feb. 1, 2024, the Russian corvette R-334 IVANOVETS was attacked by six Ukrainian Magura V5 kamikaze drones near Lake Donuslav in Crimea. Per Ukrainian officials, six drones struck the ships, causing the ship to roll astern and sink.

The ROPUCHA-I-class landing ship, TSEZAR KUNIKOV (BDK-64) was hit with several Magura V5 USVs off the coast of Crimea on Feb. 14, 2024, sinking the vessel.

Ukrainian intelligence claimed the sinking of the VASILY BYKOV-class patrol ship SERGEI KOTOV on March 5, 2024, less than two years after the ship’s commissioning. The attack was reportedly carried out using Magura V5 USVs near the Kerch Strait.

Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a KS-701 TUNETS speedboat on May 6, 2024, using Magura V5 drones. Per the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the attack hit two high-speed transports, and an amphibious craft docked in Crimea. Conflicting reports suggest two speedboats may have been destroyed or significantly damaged.

On Aug. 10, 2024, the GUR announced via Telegram that a Magura drone destroyed a KS-701 TUNETS patrol boat and damaged three more watercraft in Crimea in an operation conducted overnight between Aug. 8 to 9.

The price of a Magura drone is not publicly available. Russian sources estimate a $250,000 cost. Ukrainian authorities have stated the drone has a cost of millions of Ukrainian hryvnias (UAH).

The Ukrainian news agency RBC-Ukraine reported in a March 5, 2024 article that the Magura V5 had a cost of UAH10 million, equivalent to approximately $240,000. This figure has not been confirmed.

Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus.