A Ukrainian maritime drone operated by Group 13 of military intelligence (HUR) has made history, being the first uncrewed vessel to successfully shoot down an enemy fast jet. The historic event took place on May 2 close to the strategic Russian naval base of Novorossiysk in the eastern Black Sea. This single event reflects the rapidly changing world of naval warfare.
A Ukrainian maritime drone (USV: uncrewed surface vessel) has achieved a world-first, shooting down a Russian jet. The Flanker fighter was downed on May 2. It is the first time a fast jet has been shot down by an uncrewed vessel.
The Russian aircraft, reportedly a two-seat Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker, was operating in the eastern Black Sea, hundreds of miles from Ukrainian controlled coast. Full details have yet to emerge but it is likely that the jet was sent to interdict the USVs which were threatening the main naval base at Novorossiysk and Kerch straight. The jet would have been flying low to engage the USV with cannons or unguided rockets.
The USV was operated by the Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) Group 13. This unit has previously been associated with a ‘Magura’ USV armed with two AA-12 Archer missiles. It is unconfirmed exactly which type of missile was used, but the AA-11 or a similar weapon seems likely. These infrared homing missiles were designed for aircraft launch but have been adapted by Ukraine as ground and sea based systems. They are called Sea Dragon when launched from USVs. Britain has also assisted in a ground based adaptation, the Gravehawk.
Russia has used Flankers to counter Ukrainian USVs for a couple of years. And they may have become more important in this role since two Mi-8 Hip helicopters were shot down on December 31, 2024. However, now even fast jets are not safe from the USVs.
The world of combat at sea is changing with uncrewed platforms playing an ever larger role. Navies will be watching these developments closely. In future Russian jets may have to remain further away and use much more expensive stand-off weapons to tackle Ukrainian USVs. However, USVs are so small that they present difficult targets for traditional anti-ship weapons. So Russia will now find it harder, and more expensive, to counter the USVs. Other navies might too if they face similar threats.
