**Ukraine’s Maritime Drone Makes History with the Downed of Russian Su-30 Fighter Jet**
In a significant escalation of its drone warfare capabilities, Ukraine has achieved a world first by successfully striking and destroying a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near Novorossiysk in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. This remarkable achievement marks the first time a maritime drone has destroyed a combat aircraft.
According to reports from Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR), the operation was conducted on 2 May 2025 by Ukraine’s Group 13 special unit in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and Ukrainian Defense Forces. The Su-30 fighter jet, valued at $50 million, reportedly caught fire mid-air before crashing into the Black Sea.
**The Significance of This Achievement**
This strike is a significant blow to Russia’s military capabilities, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ukraine’s maritime drone program in targeting high-value assets. The Su-30 fighter jet carries a diverse arsenal, including air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles, rockets, and bombs, used for air defense or strike missions against Ukrainian positions and civilian infrastructure.
The use of a Magura V5 marine drone to launch the missile that destroyed the Su-30 fighter jet is particularly noteworthy. The Magura V5 is a Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicle designed for maritime reconnaissance, patrol, and combat missions, capable of carrying up to 320 kg (705 lbs) of explosives with an operational range of 800 km (497 miles).
**A New Era in Drone Warfare**
This achievement marks the second significant success for the Magura maritime drone program. On 31 December 2024, a Magura V5 was used to destroy two Russian Mi-8 helicopters, which was also reported as a first-of-its-kind attack.
The incident occurred in waters near Novorossiysk port, which Ukrainian intelligence describes as a hiding place for “the remains of their Black Sea fleet.” This suggests that Ukraine is targeting key assets and logistics nodes deep inside Russia, further weakening its military capabilities.
**A Larger Coordinated Assault**
This strike appears to be part of a larger coordinated assault on the night of 2-3 May. Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack targeting multiple Russian regions, including Krasnodar Krai, Rostov Oblast, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, and occupied Crimea.
While the operation was successful in destroying the Su-30 fighter jet, it’s essential to note that Russia reportedly intercepted and destroyed around 170 Ukrainian drones, along with several cruise missiles and unmanned boats over the Black Sea. The strikes damaged residential buildings in Novorossiysk, injured four people including children, and caused fires and infrastructure damage in other areas.
As Ukraine continues to push the boundaries of drone warfare, it’s clear that this achievement marks a significant escalation in its efforts to weaken Russia’s military capabilities and disrupt logistics.
