Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (HUR) has presented its domestically produced Magura V7 naval drone, fitted with Russian-made R-73 air-to-air missiles, to visiting foreign military delegations. The new configuration highlights Ukraine’s progress in developing autonomous, sea-based air defense systems.
According to Army Recognition and open-source intelligence account Clash Report, the Magura V7 unmanned surface vessel (USV) was displayed with two short-range R-73 missiles mounted on fixed pylons. The missiles retain their original aerodynamic structure and infrared seeker heads, while targeting is achieved through the drone’s maneuverability. This concept leverages the R-73’s high agility and off-boresight engagement capability to intercept low-flying threats.
Originally used on fighter jets such as the MiG-29 and Su-27, the R-73 missile is an infrared-guided weapon with a range of up to 30 kilometers and advanced thrust-vectoring controls. Ukrainian engineers redesigned the power and cooling systems, modified the launch interface, and integrated the missile into Magura’s control systems, allowing it to serve as an improvised air-defense weapon for unmanned surface platforms.
The new Magura V7 model features a longer hull, enhanced stability, and increased payload capacity compared to the earlier V5 version. Capable of speeds exceeding 75 km/h and an operational range of around 800 kilometers, the platform is suitable for both coastal defense and open-sea operations. Images also reveal advanced sensor arrays and communication antennas likely used for target acquisition and secure datalink operations.
Ukrainian sources confirm that this missile configuration was combat-tested in late 2024. In December 2024, a Magura-series drone reportedly shot down a Russian Ka-29 helicopter near Crimea using an R-73 missile. The event marked the world’s first recorded instance of an unmanned surface vessel destroying an airborne target. Since then, targeting algorithms, sensor calibration, and hull stabilization systems have been further refined.
Arming the Magura V7 with R-73 missiles introduces a new defensive dimension to Ukraine’s navy. These platforms can now conduct both strike and air-defense missions, potentially restricting Russian air operations over the Black Sea and forcing helicopters and patrol aircraft to operate at higher altitudes.
The use of Russian-origin missiles by Ukraine carries both symbolic and strategic weight. Once a key armament of Russian fighter jets, the R-73 has now been repurposed by Ukraine to counter Russian forces—demonstrating the country’s growing expertise in engineering and systems integration under wartime conditions.
According to defense analysts, the R-73-equipped Magura V7 could represent the first stage in developing more advanced autonomous naval defense systems. Future versions may integrate Western-made short-range or radar-guided missiles, paving the way for a new generation of multi-role unmanned naval platforms.
This demonstration once again underscores the innovation driving Ukraine’s defense industry. The Magura V7’s concept has the potential to shift the balance of power in the Black Sea and open a new chapter in modern naval warfare.
