MAGURA naval drone discovered off the coast of Crimea
23 November, 2023 Magura V5 surface drone on the coast of Crimea, November 22, 2023 Russians discovered a MAGURA marine drone intended to attack a Russian military facility in Crimea washed ashore. Russian propaganda media published the photos of the drone.
Russian media released images of a drone that washed ashore. It was reportedly discovered on the western coast of the Crimean peninsula. In its specifications, the detected drone is similar to the Ukrainian MAGURA V5 marine drone.
However, the picture captures a number of significant differences.
Magura V5 surface drone on the coast of Crimea, November 22, 2023
The main differences include the lack of the drone's optical station and the addition of additional antennas on board in the front and aft parts. It can be assumed that the Russians disrupted or dismantled the camera after it was discovered because an open technical hole was spotted in the place where it should have been installed.
Ukrainian MAGURA V5 naval drone.
July 2023. Frame from CNN video
However, other signs suggest that the photo captured a new modification of the MAGURA drone. Additional antennas, one of which looks like a satellite with a phased array, may indicate the integration of a redundant communication system in the event of a failure of one of them.
The simultaneous use of several means of communication may be necessary, considering recent events related to the politically motivated blocking of the Starlink network in the Black Sea. It is currently unknown what caused the loss of the drone. Given the integrity of the hull, it could have been due to a technical malfunction or a control error.
This is not the first instance that a Ukrainian combat marine drone has fallen into the hands of the invaders. In September last year, one of the early versions of Ukrainian strike UAVs was discovered off the shore near Sevastopol.
Ukrainian naval kamikaze drone on the coast of Crimea. Photo from open sources
MAGURA V5
Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus (MAGURA) V-type is a new generation multi-purpose unmanned surface vessel developed in Ukraine.
The drone has a small superstructure in the middle part, the front of which is equipped with the complex with rotary cameras. MAGURA V5 can cover a distance of up to 800 kilometers. The drone is controlled by a special portable remote control with screens and a set of keys and switches. The operator uses cameras to observe the situation around the drone and can control it until it hits a specific target.
Declared specifications of MAGURA V5 include:
- Length: 5500 mm or 5.5 m;
- Width: 1500 mm or 1.5 m;
- Cruising speed: 22 knots;
- Maximum speed: 42 knots;
- Communication: mesh radio with an aerial repeater or satellite communication.
As a kamikaze drone, it can engage enemy surface ships, both at sea and at military bases in bays.
To do so, it can carry up to 320 kilograms of explosives.