Something Extraordinary Has Happened in Ukraine: For the First Time, a Naval Drone Has Shot Down Russian Fighter Jets

In early February, something unusual happened—not just for the war in Ukraine but for any known armed conflict in history. If the battle of the drones redefined modern combat, this conflict signaled something new: Swarms of “mother” drones launching other drones to take turns attacking rival drones. The latest development? Missile boats shooting down Russian warplanes with no one at the controls.

Deadly innovation in the Black Sea. In an unprecedented event, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) shot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighters with AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Surprisingly, the missiles launched from Magura-7 naval drones, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov told The War Zone.

This action in the Black Sea marked the first time fighter jets were downed by unmanned surface vehicles (USV) and the first confirmed lethal use of AIM-9 missiles from this kind of platform—underscoring the sophistication and innovation of Ukraine’s maritime operations.

Details of an unusual strike. The GUR reportedly used three Magura-7 drones, an anti-aircraft variant of the Magura-5 model. Two drones fired at the Russian fighters. According to Budanov, the first Su-30 was hit, and its crew survived after a civilian boat rescued them. In contrast, the pilots of the second aircraft likely died in the attack.

So far, only images of the first launch have circulated on social media platforms. The use of AIM-9M missiles, a more advanced variant of the Soviet R-73, shows Ukraine’s ability to integrate Western weapons into unconventional platforms. Unlike the R-73, the AIM-9M lacks high-off-boresight (HOBS) capability, requiring the missile to point directly at a target for acquisition. However, its improved background discrimination, resistance to infrared countermeasures, and smokeless propulsion provide key tactical advantages—especially for drones operating discreetly.

Precedent and doctrine development. The incident follows a December report of Ukraine using an R-73 fired from a USV to shoot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. Since January, according to Budanov, Ukrainian engineers have been installing AIM-9s on these USV—evolving a strategy that blends air defense, electronic warfare, and asymmetric naval combat.

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Although GUR hasn’t disclosed exact launch configurations, all signs point to the Magura-7 serving as a highly mobile hybrid node able to operate in contested airspace.

Russian responses and consequences. Moscow offered no extensive official response. However, analysts and military commentators acknowledged the attack’s effectiveness via various Telegram channels and noted growing Black Sea defense failures. The War Correspondent Kitten channel highlighted three key concerns: the loss of naval initiative, the Black Sea Fleet’s decline after the Moskva cruiser’s destruction, and Ukraine’s growing edge in uncrewed aircraft capable of reaching Russian coastal airspace.

Analyst Vladislav Shurygin criticized the repeated use of decoy and ambush tactics, saying Russian doctrine has failed to adapt. Meanwhile, the Two Majors channel called out the lack of effective USV countermeasures and proposed using first-person view drones or combining ZALA reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles with Lancet loitering munitions, as seen on land.

Technological implications. Mounting air-to-air missiles on USVs redefines Black Sea engagement rules. While Sidewinders have appeared in naval defense systems like the Sea Chaparral, integrating them into kamikaze drones gives Ukraine a mobile, stealthy, scalable capability that can deter Russian aviation without risking high-value assets.

It also shows a clear evolution in Ukraine’s use of Western-donated systems. Many, like the AIM-9M, were built for manned fighters but are now being repurposed into platforms with outsized strategic impact. While the U.S. and allies have not detailed how many such missiles they’ve provided, it’s clear their role now extends beyond conventional air combat—boosting the lethality of Ukraine’s autonomous systems.

A turning point. The downing of the two Su-30 fighters by Ukrainian naval drones marks a symbolic and operational shift. As the war enters its fourth year, maritime control is proving as vital as land dominance. Once again, Kyiv is turning material constraints into asymmetric advantages.

By combining Western technology with local doctrine, Ukraine is creating a new class of hybrid threats—hard to detect, predict, and counter. The incident is more than a tactical success. It’s a clear message: Russian naval power is no longer untouchable, even by small drone boats capable of shooting down fighter jets dozens of miles offshore.

Image | Shrinidhi Holla

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