Game-changing sea drones: Ukraine's secret weapon against Russia

According to the American magazine Time, Magura sea drones, whose prototype was built in a Kyiv garage, are a key factor in Ukraine's success in battles with the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. This weapon has damaged or destroyed more than 20 Russian warships.

Journalist Simon Shuster noted that Ukrainian sea drones resemble research vessels designed for measuring tidal movements. The cost of producing one unit is around $270,000 CAD.

*Time* reported that thanks to this weapon, the Ukrainian side has destroyed one-third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, including large amphibious ships worth billions of dollars.

"Magura is a plague on the Russian Navy—a sea drone that helped change the course of the war in Ukraine, break through the Russian blockade of the Black Sea, and revolutionize naval warfare," the article stated.

It was added that "these attacks forced the Russian Navy to retreat from Ukraine's coast, which almost meant defeat in the largest naval battle Europe has seen since World War II."

The text recalled that Russia’s status as a naval power dates back to the last three centuries—the early 18th century, during the time of Tsar Peter the Great. According to *Time*, the Russian Navy is now "useless on the front." It was also mentioned that Vladimir Putin dismissed the commander of the Black Sea Fleet in February and a month later dismissed the head of the entire Russian Navy when Ukrainian drone attacks intensified.

The birth of Ukrainian sea drones took place in a garage in Kyiv’s suburbs. A group of friends, including officials, engineers, corporate directors, and tech investors, started tinkering to create a new weapon. "We all realized that we wouldn't be much use running around with assault rifles," one of the drone creators said in an interview with *Time*.

Besides sea drones, this group also created lightweight combat drones, referred to by the Russian side as "Baba Yaga."

"Would such drones be enough to end the war?" the American magazine wonders, answering that "certainly not by themselves." "Zelensky and his generals emphasize that the greatest significance of this weapon is its psychological impact. Sea drone attacks demonstrate the weakness of Russia’s arsenal," the text explained.

"When Ukraine struck the Russian Navy, Putin withdrew his ships to keep them safe. He didn't reach for his nuclear arsenal even when Ukraine started the invasion. For now, Ukrainians still maintain control over the Russian city of Sudzha in the Kursk region, along with dozens of nearby villages, and the Kremlin is struggling to prepare a response to this attack," it added.

The name of the Ukrainian sea drone is no coincidence—Magura is the goddess of war and victory in Slavic mythology.