Black Sea Gambit: How Ukraine’s Sea Drones Redrew the Naval Battle Lines
For those of us whoβve spent time in conflict zones, the evolution of warfare is a stark and often unsettling reality. One day itβs trenches and tanks, the next it’s a silent, unseen threat emerging from the waves. The war in Ukraine has become a brutal crucible of innovation, and in the murky depths of the Black Sea, a David-and-Goliath narrative is unfolding with an unlikely protagonist: the Ukrainian naval drone. What began as a desperate measure to counter Russia’s overwhelming naval dominance has morphed into a sophisticated and increasingly audacious campaign thatβs not just harassing the Tsarβs fleet, but fundamentally reshaping the balance of power at sea. Recent video reports emerging from the region are painting a vivid picture of this transformation β a shift from targeting lumbering warships to aerial predators and even pioneering a new era of naval drone carriers. These aren’t just isolated incidents; they’re brushstrokes in a larger, rapidly evolving canvas of modern naval warfare. Let’s dive into what these videos are telling us about Ukraine’s ‘Black Sea Shock’.
Key Insights from the Digital Frontline
From Ships to Skies: Initially designed to cripple Russiaβs surface fleet, Ukrainian naval drones, specifically the Sea Baby and Magura V5 models, have demonstrably expanded their target sets. No longer solely focused on ramming explosive charges into hulls, these drones are now, according to multiple video reports, equipped to engage aerial threats, particularly Russian Mi-8 helicopters. The shift is tactical and strategic, forcing Russia to divert resources to counter a threat they initially underestimated.
Drone-on-Drone Warfare Emerges: The concept of a βdrone carrierβ β a larger naval drone acting as a mobile launch platform for smaller FPV drones β isn’t science fiction; itβs battlefield reality, as highlighted in several reports. This innovation significantly extends the reach and versatility of Ukrainian drone operations, enabling attacks further inland and against a wider range of targets, including Russian air defenses and surveillance infrastructure along the Crimean coast. The ingenuity on display is remarkable: a drone launching drones, a layered robotic assault that complicates Russian defensive strategies exponentially.
Magura V5 β A Multi-Role Maverick: The Magura V5 drone is repeatedly mentioned as a key player in these evolving tactics. Beyond its anti-ship capabilities, it’s being touted as the platform responsible for the first-ever downing of helicopters by a naval drone. This isn’t just about sinking ships anymore; itβs about challenging Russian air superiority over the Black Sea, creating a more contested and dangerous environment for their operations.
Cheech & Chong's Up In Smoke Beaker Bong This Cheech & Chong beaker-style water pipe stands 7.25 inches tall with attached downstem and 14mm male bowl. Pipe comes in assorted colors. Officially licensed. Available colors are dependent on current inventory. HIGHLIGHTS 7.25"" tall: Provides a compact yet effective size for easy handling and storage. 14mm female pipe: Ensures compatibility with a variety of accessories. Attached downstem diffuser: Enhances the smoking experience by providing smooth, filtered hits. Beaker style with bent neck: Offers stability and a comfortable smoking angle. Includes 14mm male herb slide: Conveniently allows for the use of dry herbs. Colors vary: Adds a fun element of surprise and individuality to each purchase.
No matter when and where the mess strikes, stay on top of it with this compact, lightweight shop vacuum. The highly portable design is perfect for quick pick-ups around the house. Never before have we offered so much power and versatility in one portable package. The impressive 6.0 peak HP motor can handle any task, and when detached will blow you away.
Printed on one side, you can't tell from a distant whether it's the real bill or a fake one. Excellent for close-up magic. No smoke and ash left after burning. Pack contains ten U.S. bill-sized sheets of flash paper.
Psychological Impact and Operational Disruption: The videos and accompanying descriptions suggest that these drone attacks are having a tangible effect on Russian operations. Reports indicate a decrease in Russian helicopter sorties after drone strikes on air assets. While Russian air dominance persists in some areas, the cost and risk of maintaining it are clearly increasing. This forces tactical adjustments, resource allocation shifts, and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of vulnerability within the Russian ranks.
Technological Leapfrogging: The narratives woven through these videos emphasize a Ukrainian capacity for rapid technological adaptation. From retrofitting drones to target helicopters to developing drone carrier concepts, it’s a war of innovation as much as attrition. The suggestion of optical fiber controlled drones with extended ranges and planned mass production hints at a sustained, evolving threat that Russia will struggle to neutralize quickly.
"Droneception" and the Future of Naval Combat
The most striking takeaway from these reports is the emergence of what can only be described as βdroneceptionβ β drones launching drones. This isn’t just a cool tech demo; it signals a fundamental shift in naval warfare doctrine. Imagine a swarm of these drone carriers, each deploying a cloud of smaller, agile FPV drones. Defending against such a multi-layered, decentralized attack becomes incredibly complex and resource-intensive. This leap towards distributed naval power, where relatively inexpensive unmanned platforms can project force far beyond expectations, is what truly shakes the traditional naval hierarchy. Weβre witnessing the potential democratization of naval power, where smaller nations, through smart technology and daring tactics, can challenge even the most established maritime powers. The Black Sea is becoming a live-fire laboratory for this new era of naval combat, and the lessons learned here will reverberate across the world’s oceans.
Decoding the Black Sea’s Drone Revolution
These glimpses from the front lines, pieced together from online videos, offer a compelling narrative of Ukrainian ingenuity and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. To truly grasp the significance of this ‘Black Sea Shock,’ itβs essential to go beyond headlines and engage with the granular details. Scroll down to explore the video highlights β witness the claims, analyze the visuals, and draw your own conclusions about this unfolding chapter in naval warfare. The sea drone story is far from over; itβs just getting started.
Cheech & Chong's Up In Smoke Beaker Bong This Cheech & Chong beaker-style water pipe stands 7.25 inches tall with attached downstem and 14mm male bowl. Pipe comes in assorted colors. Officially licensed. Available colors are dependent on current inventory. HIGHLIGHTS 7.25"" tall: Provides a compact yet effective size for easy handling and storage. 14mm female pipe: Ensures compatibility with a variety of accessories. Attached downstem diffuser: Enhances the smoking experience by providing smooth, filtered hits. Beaker style with bent neck: Offers stability and a comfortable smoking angle. Includes 14mm male herb slide: Conveniently allows for the use of dry herbs. Colors vary: Adds a fun element of surprise and individuality to each purchase.
Printed on one side, you can't tell from a distant whether it's the real bill or a fake one. Excellent for close-up magic. No smoke and ash left after burning. Pack contains ten U.S. bill-sized sheets of flash paper.
No matter when and where the mess strikes, stay on top of it with this compact, lightweight shop vacuum. The highly portable design is perfect for quick pick-ups around the house. Never before have we offered so much power and versatility in one portable package. The impressive 6.0 peak HP motor can handle any task, and when detached will blow you away.
Ukrainian Sea Drones Got Bored Sinking Ships And Started Hunting Russian HelicoptersTech410,422 views | 9,115 | January 24 2025 17:15:00 (417 comments)[ Read more … ]
Over the dark waters of the Kerch Strait, a swarm of Russian Mi-8 gunship helicopters swoops down through the winter night toward their prey: a group of Ukrainian Sea Baby naval drones. Despite their innocent-sounding name, these unmanned vessels have sunk millions of dollarsβ worth of warships, forced Russiaβs Black Sea Fleet to retreat from Crimea, and severed crucial military supply lines.
Despite the damage theyβve caused, the Russian pilots are confident; everybody knows the Sea Babiesβ only effective method of attack is ramming their explosive-laden hulls into their targets. Theyβre sure to be utterly defenseless against the overwhelming aerial firepower of the helicoptersβ 23-millimeter cannon pods and radar-guided missiles.
But tonight, something is different. As the Mi-8s close in for the attack, they suddenly realize theyβve bitten off more than they can chew. These Sea Babies are packing a powerful surprise – one that might just change the face of the conflict in Ukraineβ¦
Advertisement
In Crimean coasts, Ukrainian drone carriers successfully destroy Russian air defenses, other targetsKanal1323,220 views | 720 | January 25 2025 04:00:06 (24 comments)[ Read more … ]
#Kanal13β #likekanal13β #subscribekanal13 #warinukraine https://www.youtube.com/user/kanal13az?sub_confirmation=1 – SUBSCRIBE TO US! The future of robotic warfare is drones that carry many smaller drones. Today, Ukraine is a world leader in developing this technology, writes military analyst David Axe in The Telegraph.
As a clear demonstration of the progress the Ukrainians have made in this direction, the expert recalls the raid by Ukrainian naval drones on the “Boyko rigs” in the Black Sea in early December. During the war, the Ukrainians have repeatedly struck these gas platforms, which the Russians use as observation posts. But the December attack was truly remarkable for one important aspect – the first known use of a naval drone as a carrier for FPV drones.
Footage of the raid released by the Ukrainian military clearly shows small drones flying out of the belly of a naval drone and successfully hitting Russian surveillance equipment and the occupiers themselves.
And in early January, new evidence emerged of the weapon’s successful use: Ukrainian “drone carriers” attacked Russian air defenses and other targets along the coast north of Crimea, setting at least three Russian vehicles ablaze.
“It’s an impressive development that requires robust, waterproof equipment, reliable satellite communications, and teams of skilled operators who separately control the boats and their drones. Incredibly, the current combination – a drone boat containing FPV drones – may be just the beginning,” writes David Axe.
The analyst recalled that the Ukrainians already have so-called drone mothers – large unmanned aerial vehicles capable of carrying smaller kamikaze drones. And these drone mothers can be transported by unmanned sea boats, so that the drone mother can then fly into a Russian-controlled water area or territory and release attack FPV drones there. This will allow hitting Russian targets in Crimea far from the shore.
“And yes, it will be a drone that is launched from a drone launched from a drone. Or a drone carrier,” Axe concludes.
As media reported, Ukrainian specialists have created a drone controlled via optical fiber, which is capable of flying over a distance of more than 41 km . It is expected that such drones will soon be produced at a rate of a thousand units per month.
We also reported that the US is developing a missile-bomb with a range of 453 kilometers for the Ukrainian Armed Forces . Little is known about this bomb now, but it should be made next year. http://youtube.com/kanal13az/join – click here and support Kanal13 monthly for distributing more videos and independent journalism
KANAL13 [ AzΙrbaycanΔ±n ilk peΕΙkar internet televiziyasΔ± ] The First Internet TV of Azerbaijan
Tags: #Ukriane, #Russia, #Putin, #Putler, #Russian invasion of Ukraine, #Zelenski, #Kiev, #Kyiv, #Kadirov army, #Kadirov, #Kherson, #Bucha, #Kharkiv, #Ukrainian pilots, #vagners, #Russian tanks, #NATO, #drones, #Moscow, #Kreml, #war victims #Ukraina, News, The Washington Post, waPo Video, Washington Post Video, Washington Post YouTube, a:politics, aid, biden, putin, s:Politics, support, t:Other, Ukraine, war, fact check, news coverage, Donald Trump, news, wp video, forbes, nytimes, newspaper, media, journalism, Ilham Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Tel-Aviv, Garabag, Karabakh, football, ronaldo, messi, brian tyler cohen
Advertisement
First in history: Ukrainian naval drones destroyed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters in Black SeaKanal1313,871 views | 368 | January 2 2025 23:00:06 (11 comments)[ Read more … ]
#Kanal13β #likekanal13β #subscribekanal13 #warinukraine https://www.youtube.com/user/kanal13az?sub_confirmation=1 – SUBSCRIBE TO US! Ukraineβs “Magura” missile naval drones have destroyed two Russian helicopters and damaged another one in the Black Sea. The operation marked the first case of Russian Mi-8 helicopters being hit by Ukrainian drones in the Black Sea.
As a result of the successful operation by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in the Black Sea, two Russian Mi-8 helicopters were destroyed near the Russian-annexed Crimea Peninsula on December 31, 2024, with the use of Magura V5 naval drones equipped with missiles. The attack was carried out by fighters of the special unit “Group 13”. Rockets P-73 “SeeDragon” successfully destroyed the Russian Mi-8 helicopter. Moreover, the strikes forced the rest of the Russian fleet to retreat from the Ukrainian coast.
Being in operation since 2023 and capable of covering a distance of more than 800 kilometers, Magura drone has helped Ukraine push back against Russiaβs Black Sea Fleet by striking dozens of ships last year.
Ukraine previously destroyed several notable Russian ships with Magura drones, including a landing ship Caesar Kunikov, a Sergei Kotov patrol ship, high-speed Serna and Akula landing crafts, and a Tarantul-class Ivanovets missile corvette. http://youtube.com/kanal13az/join – click here and support Kanal13 monthly for distributing more videos and independent journalism
KANAL13 [ AzΙrbaycanΔ±n ilk peΕΙkar internet televiziyasΔ± ] The First Internet TV of Azerbaijan
Tags: #Ukriane, #Russia, #Putin, #Putler, #Russian invasion of Ukraine, #Zelenski, #Kiev, #Kyiv, #Kadirov army, #Kadirov, #Kherson, #Bucha, #Kharkiv, #Ukrainian pilots, #vagners, #Russian tanks, #NATO, #drones, #Moscow, #Kreml, #war victims #Ukraina, News, The Washington Post, waPo Video, Washington Post Video, Washington Post YouTube, a:politics, aid, biden, putin, s:Politics, support, t:Other, Ukraine, war, fact check, news coverage, Donald Trump, news, wp video, forbes, nytimes, newspaper, media, journalism, Ilham Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Tel-Aviv, Garabag, Karabakh, football, ronaldo, messi, brian tyler cohen
Advertisement
FIRST Ever Donwing of Helicopters from Naval DronesUATV English1,142 views | 131 | January 2 2025 23:30:03 (10 comments)[ Read more … ]
Ukraine’s naval drones have downed two Russian helicopters over the Black Sea. The modified Magura V5 drones, capable of striking aerial targets, continue to reshape the battlefield, challenging Russian dominance and enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities. _____________________________________ π΄ Be sure to subscribe to UATV English! π΅ Twitter: https://twitter.com/UATV_en π΅ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vau7DqJ2ZjCqG62sek1B π΅ Website: https://uatv.ua/en/
Magura V5 drones put an end to the dominance of Russian helicopters in Ukrainian skiesKanal1312,173 views | 278 | January 11 2025 03:00:06 (6 comments)[ Read more … ]
#Kanal13β #likekanal13β #subscribekanal13 #warinukraine https://www.youtube.com/user/kanal13az?sub_confirmation=1 – SUBSCRIBE TO US! After the destruction of Russian helicopters with the help of Magura V5 drones, the number of sorties by the occupiers has decreased slightly. At the same time, according to the spokesman of the Ukrainian Navy Dmitry Pletenchuk, Russian aviation in the skies over the Black Sea remains a problem for Ukraine.
“After the hit, there is supposedly a dynamic in the number of sorties. Their number has decreased slightly. But they are still forced to use helicopters for counter-drone warfare. This is their main task – patrolling, identifying and destroying our sea drones. They have not abandoned this practice. In addition to the fact that they have no choice, they never fully understand the situation on the first try,” Pletenchuk said on the air of the telethon.
He explained that the Russians have this habit – only after repeated precise strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces do they begin to understand that the situation has changed and draw certain conclusions.
“Therefore, the picture basically remains more or less constant, but I hope that at some point it will change in the context of the use of aviation in the Black Sea, because this is actually a problem for us. The Russians continue to dominate the airspace around Crimea, in the eastern part of the Black Sea, at a minimum, including with tactical aviation,” the speaker emphasized.
He also added that the invaders near the Crimean Bridge continue to restore the protective barrier from the naval drones of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, which was damaged as a result of storms.
“When the weather gets a little better, several units go out to the area of the Crimean Bridge – these are tugboats, a floating crane, and supposedly even coast guard boats…”, the military man said.
Recall, on December 31, 2024, the military of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine destroyed an air target for the first time in the world using a Magura V5 attack naval drone equipped with missile weapons. This happened during a battle in the Black Sea near Cape Tarkhankut in the temporarily occupied Crimea. A Russian Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed, a similar enemy helicopter was damaged by fire and was able to reach its base airfield. It was later reported that another similar Russian machine was destroyed.
Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmitry Pletenchuk suggested that Russian occupiers will probably have to change tactics. At the same time, the Russians have enough units like the Mi-8, because they produce it themselves. However, shooting down a military helicopter is a loss for the enemy, because we are talking about a trained crew, whose training takes years. http://youtube.com/kanal13az/join – click here and support Kanal13 monthly for distributing more videos and independent journalism
KANAL13 [ AzΙrbaycanΔ±n ilk peΕΙkar internet televiziyasΔ± ] The First Internet TV of Azerbaijan
Tags: #Ukriane, #Russia, #Putin, #Putler, #Russian invasion of Ukraine, #Zelenski, #Kiev, #Kyiv, #Kadirov army, #Kadirov, #Kherson, #Bucha, #Kharkiv, #Ukrainian pilots, #vagners, #Russian tanks, #NATO, #drones, #Moscow, #Kreml, #war victims #Ukraina, News, The Washington Post, waPo Video, Washington Post Video, Washington Post YouTube, a:politics, aid, biden, putin, s:Politics, support, t:Other, Ukraine, war, fact check, news coverage, Donald Trump, news, wp video, forbes, nytimes, newspaper, media, journalism, Ilham Aliyev, Baku, Azerbaijan, Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Tel-Aviv, Garabag, Karabakh, football, ronaldo, messi, brian tyler cohen
Advertisement
Silicon Bites #81 – Ukrainian Drones Pound Russian Infrastructure on a Totally Unprecedented ScaleSilicon Curtain57,957 views | 3,874 | January 15 2025 20:09:14 (166 comments)[ Read more … ]
Edition No81 | 15-01-2025 – Ukraine has steadily been increasing its strikes against targets deep within Russia since the conclusion of the US election. But before we get into the details of the latest strikes over the weekend, letβs review how this started last week with the huge, ‘multi-dayβ targeting of Russia’s Engels airbase infrastructure. ———-
At relatively short notice, we’re organising two events in Ukraine in the last week of January. Lviv (part 2) and Kyiv. The event we ran in August 2023 was a huge success, and had a great impact. Now our aim is even more ambitious. Two cities. Two events. Multiple panels consisting of the best experts, and all filmed in high definition for the channel.
https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras
But it costs. Last time the overall cost was 3,500 for Live in Lviv, and we covered 80% of this through ticket sales. This time the costs are higher, and there’s less opportunity to sell tickets at the available venues and studios, so I’m creating a campaign to raise 5,000 to make this trip a reality. We also have a much more ambitious programme to film interviews around Kyiv and Lviv for the channel. This project will have an impact, so please help if you can.
Ukraine has targeted Russia’s Engels airbase and associated infrastructure in ‘multi-day, comprehensive operation’. This was reported by Kyiv’s 14th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment reported on Jan. 14. This unit is part of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces; they claimed the attacks were intended to “reduce the enemy’s strategic aviation capabilities”.
Itβs also been reported, and footage on social media seems to attest to this, that they struck aviation fuel tanks at the Kristal oil plant used to supply Russian long-range bomber aircraft.
“We are doing our best to ensure that Engels fire crews, who have just put out the flames after the previous attack, are not left without work in the face of the increasingly difficult economic situation in Russia.” The Ukrainian unit is quoted as saying.
The attack had also seemed to have targeted ammunition warehouses at the airbase which store cruise missiles and glide bombs. Several explosions were heard in the area, according to local reports from Russian Telegram channels. ———-
SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISER A project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine’s struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine’s front-line towns. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras ———-
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain ———-
TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND: Save Ukraine https://www.saveukraineua.org/
Superhumans – Hospital for war traumas https://superhumans.com/en/
UNBROKEN – Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine https://unbroken.org.ua/
Come Back Alive https://savelife.in.ua/en/
Chefs For Ukraine – World Central Kitchen https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine
UNITED24 – An initiative of President Zelenskyy https://u24.gov.ua/
Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation https://prytulafoundation.org
NGO βHerojam Slavaβ https://heroiamslava.org/
kharpp – Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemysl https://kharpp.com/
NOR DOG Animal Rescue https://www.nor-dog.org/home/ ———-
Advertisement
About the Author
Patryk Alexander is an associate copy editor at 4kVideoDrones.com, where he sharpens articles and helps keep the website's content clean and error-free. With a background in creative writing, Patryk brings a unique perspective to his editing that helps make 4kVideoDrones.com's content engaging and informative. When he's not editing or writing, Patryk enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors.
