Ukraine has successfully used a naval drone boat to launch a heavy bomber drone that destroyed a high-value Russian radar system in Russian-occupied Crimea, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
The strike occurred overnight between July 1 and 2, 2025, and targeted a Nebo-M multiband radar installation, which is part of Russia’s integrated air defense network.
The Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV), likely a Magura V5 or newer V7, approached the Crimean coastline under the cover of darkness. Once within range, it deployed a heavy quadcopter bomber drone, which carried out a precision strike on a radar parking depot.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the drone dropped munitions that destroyed three key components of the radar system: an RLM-M VHF radar, an RLM-D AESA L-band radar, and a command post truck.
The Nebo-M is designed to detect stealth aircraft and hypersonic missiles and typically operates alongside S-300 and S-400 missile systems. Its destruction represents a significant degradation of Russian early-warning capabilities in the region.
“On the night of July 1 to 2, 2025, Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces carried out a brilliant, high-precision special operation!” the Ministry said in a statement. A 67-second edited video that was released showed the bomber drone launching from the bow of the sea drone and striking its targets with multiple munitions.
On the night of July 1–2, Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces launched heavy Lazar strike drones from naval platforms and successfully destroyed three Russian Nebo-M radar systems near the village of Mayak in occupied Crimea. The confirmed losses include one RLM-M 55Zh6M, one RLM-D… pic.twitter.com/OsGXsv53VG
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) July 3, 2025
The mission demonstrates a new operational role for Ukraine’s naval drones, which now regularly serve as mobile launch platforms for UAVs in addition to their use in kamikaze and reconnaissance roles. The sea drone reportedly maintained satellite uplink communications with the bomber drone throughout the mission, ensuring guidance and control as it flew over the coastline.
Ukraine’s use of USVs as drone launch platforms has precedent. SOFX reported in January that the Ukrainian Navy likely used drone boats to launch FPV drones in a deep strike on Russian air defense systems in Kherson Oblast. Similar tactics were documented in December 2024, when sea drones deployed FPV units to attack Russian-controlled gas platforms in the Black Sea.
FPV drone strike on Russian Pantsir-S1 air defence system. What is unusual is that the video was published by the Ukrainian Navy. Kherson region. https://t.co/jd9HksGMwI pic.twitter.com/q94mYiLS7L
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) January 6, 2025
Ukrainian Navy unmanned attack boats have gained a significant upgrade, and are now able to serve as drone motherships.
Last night, Ukrainian USVs carrying FPV drones attacked Russian-controlled gas platforms in the Black Sea, heavily damaging several. pic.twitter.com/1s9VTLu98G
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) December 7, 2024
In addition, the Magura V5 variant has been outfitted with retrofitted R-73 air-to-air missiles, nicknamed the “Sea Dragon” configuration. In one operation, the USV engaged Russian Mi-8 helicopters. Footage released by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense shows one helicopter deploying flares in an unsuccessful attempt to evade a heat-seeking missile.
💥 Історичний удар ― воїни ГУР вперше у світі знищили повітряну ціль за допомогою морського дрона Magura V5
🔗 https://t.co/Td2vPEy6St pic.twitter.com/UC3SNnp6ah
— Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) December 31, 2024
The Warzone reported in May that Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) employed the newer Magura V7 USV, equipped with a pair of AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles, to shoot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighters over the Black Sea. That strike represented the most advanced known naval drone capability up to that point.
World first: On May 2, 2025, the @DI_Ukraine special operations unit, in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea.
🔗 https://t.co/DXhg74AKcg pic.twitter.com/Z4fP5CFRb8
— Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) May 3, 2025
The recent strike against the Nebo-M radar system reflects Ukraine’s continued development of long-range, precision strike capabilities using unmanned naval and aerial systems. Ukraine’s drone fleet has increasingly become a central tool in countering Russian forces along the Black Sea and occupied territories.
