A Ukrainian commander of the special forces unit "Group 13", which downed two Russian Mi-8 choppers last week, has revealed the details of the operation carried out using a Magura V5 naval drone. It was the first time that air targets were destroyed by a drone designed for the sea.
The commander, who goes by the call sign "Thirteenth", said the mission was special as they were on a deliberate hunt for air targets. "We were specifically hunting for air targets. It was a planned operation, and we were ready to face the enemy head-on," Kyiv Post quoted the commander.
He added that the action happened near Tarkhankut on the Black Sea where Russian helicopters were on patrol. The choppers were moving at a high speed but Magura V5 managed to zero in on the first Mi-8 with precision. It took just one hit for the sea drone to down the Mi-8. "It was a direct hit. They didn’t even realize what was happening and deployed air traps in confusion," he said.
Another hit followed and Magura V5 successfully downed the second chopper. The third one, however, managed to fly back to the Russian base with damages.
The Ukrainian Military Intelligence said the drones launched multiple R-73 SeaDragon missiles, which is a Soviet-era air-to-air missile modified by Ukraine for maritime use. The decades-old, short-range missile uses infrared homing technology. The operation had no existing playbook and involved some innovative tactics.
The Commander said they have managed to "triple what they could do" and it will only get better with time. He added that they would soon be able to target aeroplanes.
Ukraine had also published a radio intercept containing audio from one of the Mi-8 pilots after the Russian helicopter was hit. "There was a water launch," the pilot was heard saying in the recording.
Besides Magura V5, Ukraine also has other sea drones, like the Sea Baby platform in service with the Security Service of Ukraine.
