On May 14, 2025, in Kyiv, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, and his team of specialists, publicly unveiled a new generation of strike naval drones — Magura.

Among the technologies presented:

• Magura V5, a drone capable of swarming and sinking ships of russia's Black Sea Fleet;
• Magura V6P, a multifunctional naval drone platform;
• Magura V7, the first drone in history to destroy an enemy fighter jet;
• A modified Magura V7, equipped with a combat machine-gun module.

These Magura drones — cutting-edge Ukrainian technology — have empowered DIU's special operations unit, Group 13, to shift the balance of power in the Black Sea in Ukraine's favor.

"In many cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky. For russian occupiers, it certainly is. The phenomenon is called triskaidekaphobia — the fear of 13. That fear is now very real: russian sailors tremble, while Ukrainians do not. They know that DIU's Group 13 — part of the department for unmanned and robotic systems — destroys the enemy effectively and defends Ukraine," said DIU spokesperson Andriy Yusov.

Over two years of combat deployment in the Black Sea, various Magura drone models have successfully struck 17 russian military targets, destroying 15, including 2 Mi-8 helicopters, 2 Su-30 fighter jets, and several major Black Sea Fleet vessels: Sergey Kotov, Ivanovets, Caesar Kunikov, and others. The estimated damage to russia exceeds $500 million.

"We started from zero. No one had done this before. There was no experience to draw on. But two years ago, we struck our first russian reconnaissance vessel, Ivan Khurs. Today, we can confidently say that Group 13 has forced the russian Black Sea Fleet back into its ports. They are paralyzed, unable to perform any mission," said the Group 13 commander, callsign Thirteenth.

He was joined on stage by Group 13 operators Maestro and Ksena, speaking before Ukrainian and international journalists, bloggers, security experts, volunteers, and representatives of Ukraine's security and defense community.

"Every time our drones enter the sea, we see panic in the enemy ranks," said Ksena.

The biggest spotlight went to the sleek Magura V7, equipped with two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, which successfully shot down two russian Su-30 fighters, worth over $100 million combined. Behind the scenes are Ukrainian engineers and manufacturers who continue to improve this game-changing maritime weapon.

"This is an unbelievable story — practically a cinematic blockbuster — created under full-scale war and immense pressure. And yet, not only are we producing weapons, we're evolving and innovating. All we can say is: thank you," Yusov added.

He expressed special thanks to the Kyiv School of Economics, the Diana Podolianchuk Foundation, volunteers, donors, journalists, and supporters from Ukraine and abroad who contribute to the growth of DIU's drone fleet.

"Modern-day Magura versus a 100-meter russian warship — is a living retelling of the story of David and Goliath. Today, you see David — Magura drone of Group 13 — and a very unimpressive Goliath, sinking fast," said another DIU representative.

Military expert Mykhailo Samus noted that the evolution and success of naval drones in the Black Sea are forcing countries worldwide to revise their maritime doctrines. Traditional 20th-century fleets are proving inferior to 21st-century unmanned technology.

"A doctrinal shift has already occurred thanks to Magura and other sea drones. People often say Ukraine destroyed a third of russia's Black Sea Fleet, without even having a fleet. But I would argue: this is Ukraine's fleet — a modern fleet of the 21st century. And Ukraine, with its Defence Intelligence leading the way, has launched a true naval revolution," he said. "Maritime patrols, sea lane control, air and sea target destruction — this is no longer theory, but a doctrine. And it's being forged right here in Ukraine."