As maritime drones force Russia to retreat, Ukraine examines ways to launch more sophisticated attacks

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The commander of maritime drone operations for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency says more sophisticated attacks against Russian forces are expected next year, after Kiev’s unmanned fleet managed to block the movements of Russia’s once-dominant Black Sea navy.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the head of Group 13, a special maritime drone unit, said the Ukraine attack has forced Russia to adapt, limiting opportunities for large-scale Black Sea strikes seen earlier in the war.

“Today, we have probably reached a plateau,” said the officer, known only by the call sign “13th” under Ukrainian military protocol.

“We’re effectively limiting the movement of the enemy, but those dramatic, high-profile strikes that we’ve seen before haven’t happened for a while. That’s because the enemy has adapted.”

Last month, Ukrainian officials said maritime attack drones were used in attacks against ships in a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers that evaded Russia’s sanctions. The commander declined to comment on those operations.

The officer said Russian naval vessels “barely operate”, often only 25 miles (40 km) from port before retreating to fire missiles. “They hide constantly. And in a way, it’s also a result of our unit – because you can imagine the cost of maintaining a fleet that can’t operate at sea.”

The officer spoke in uniform, his face covered and eyes obscured by tinted glasses. For security reasons, the intelligence agency has asked that the location and other details of the interview not be disclosed.

Drone technology has become vital to Ukraine’s military, providing inexpensive tools for reconnaissance and strikes to counter Russian aggression. Its two maritime drone programs are run separately by its military and domestic intelligence services.

Group 13 operates the Magura family of maritime drones, which Ukraine credits with several attacks on Russian ships.

The unit currently uses two versions – the V5, a small ramming drone, and the larger V7, a weapons platform. Both are controlled remotely using suitcase-sized consoles equipped with joysticks, screens and safety switches.

In a recent demonstration, operators showed the V7 fitted with modified US-made Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. In May, the intelligence agency said a Magura drone had shot down a Russian fighter jet – a development the commander called a “breakthrough” in maritime warfare.

He said the next phase of Ukraine’s drone development will rely on deeper integration of artificial intelligence, using a growing archive of operational video and sensor data to improve targeting and reduce operator workload.

“Right now, target acquisition is a joint process — part operator, part AI,” he said. “In the future, you’ll launch a drone and it will independently seek targets, distinguish civilian vessels from military vessels, and make more decisions.”

Ukraine’s military, he added, has a “huge amount” of operational data available to further train AI models.

Although he did not comment on specific development plans within the intelligence agency, 13th said countries exploring long-range strike options, submarine drones and more complex mixed-fleet operations see such systems as a logical next step.

Ukraine is looking to expand co-production of drones with several NATO countries next year.

During President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Athens last month, Kiev and Greece announced plans to deploy maritime uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), expanded training and exercises, and information-sharing on maritime threats.

Despite Russia’s adjustments, the commander said Ukraine’s maritime drone program remains effective.

“We are working on many fronts to change this situation and create a modus operandi,” he said. “For now, I can say this: We have not lost effectiveness. We have only reached a point where we have the enemy in check.”

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Oleksiy Yeroshenko contributed to this report.