Ukraine's naval drones: Revolutionizing the Black Sea conflict
26 August 2024 20:38
Maritime drones called Magura, whose prototype was created in a garage in Kyiv, are the secret to Ukraine's success in battles with the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, according to the American magazine "Time." This weapon has damaged or destroyed over 20 Russian warships.
As journalist Simon Shuster noted, Ukrainian maritime drones resemble research vessels designed to measure tidal movements. The cost of producing one unit is about £160,000.
"Time" reported that thanks to this weapon, the Ukrainian side has destroyed one-third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, including large landing ships worth billions of pounds.
"Plague of the Russian Navy"
"Magura is the plague of the Russian Navy - a maritime drone that helped change the course of the war in Ukraine, break through the Russian blockade of the Black Sea, and revolutionise naval warfare," the article states.
It added that "these attacks forced the Russian Navy to withdraw from the coast of Ukraine, which almost meant defeat in the largest naval battle Europe has seen since World War II."
The text recalls 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 currently "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, he dismissed the head of the entire Russian Navy when Ukrainian drone attacks intensified.
Created in a garage on the outskirts of Kyiv
The birth of Ukrainian maritime drones took place in a garage on the outskirts of Kyiv. A group of friends, including officials, engineers, corporate directors, and technology investors, began tinkering to create a new weapon. "We all realised that we wouldn't be very useful running around with assault rifles," one of the drone creators told "Time."
In addition to maritime drones, this group also created light combat drones, called "Baba Yaga" by the Russian side.
The name is not coincidental
"Would such drones be enough to end the war?" the American magazine ponders, answering that "certainly not on their own." "Zelensky and his generals emphasise that the greatest significance of this weapon is its psychological impact. Maritime drone attacks demonstrate the weakness of Russia's arsenal," the article explains.
"When Ukraine struck the Russian Navy, Putin pulled back his ships to preserve them. He did not resort to his nuclear arsenal even when Ukraine began 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 adds.
The name of the Ukrainian maritime drone is not coincidental - Magura is the goddess of war and victory in Slavic mythology.
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