Ukraine
World First: Sea Drone Brings Down Russian Su-30 Over the Black Sea
Ukrainian intelligence has released footage of a drone strike that could mark a turning point in modern warfare.
Ukrainian intelligence releases footage of drone strike that could signal a turning point in modern warfare.
Watch the video at the bottom of this article
According to Ukraine’s military intelligence service, a Russian fighter jet has been destroyed by a naval drone—a claim that has not been independently verified. The event reportedly took place on May 2, 2025, near the Russian port city of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. Video footage, allegedly recorded by the drone’s targeting system, appears to show the moment the aircraft is struck.
The attack was reportedly carried out by the special operations unit “Group 13,” using a Magura sea drone armed with a missile warhead. If confirmed, the operation would represent a global first in the history of warfare.
Fighter Jet Hit Mid-Air and Crashed into the Sea
The downed aircraft is said to be a Su-30 multirole fighter jet—one of Russia’s more advanced combat planes, valued at approximately $50 million. Ukrainian officials claim the jet was struck while airborne, leading to a crash into the sea moments later.
“This is the world’s first destruction of a combat aircraft by a naval drone,” Ukraine’s intelligence agency stated.
The mission was reportedly carried out in coordination with Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and other national defense forces.
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Previous Drone Strikes Set the Stage
Ukraine has previously used the Magura V5 drone in combat. On December 31, 2024, the country claimed responsibility for downing two Russian Mi-8 helicopters over water using the same drone model. That operation was also described at the time as a world-first. However, the engagement with the Su-30, if proven, would be an even more significant milestone due to the complexity of intercepting a fast-moving jet.
Independent outlet The Kyiv Independent emphasized that it has not been able to verify Ukraine’s claims through other sources.
Russia Reports Drone Wave Across the Region
The night following the alleged strike, Russian officials reported a large-scale drone assault on multiple targets in Krasnodar Krai. Four people were reportedly injured, and damage was sustained by residential buildings and a grain terminal in Novorossiysk. In response, local authorities declared a state of emergency. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed more than 170 Ukrainian drones—including several naval drones—were intercepted across Crimea and the Black Sea.
While the incident remains unverified, it highlights a rapidly evolving use of drone warfare and, if confirmed, could mark a significant tactical shift in how future battles are fought.
Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.
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