For the first time an unmanned boat has knocked down Russian combat planes

At the beginning of February there was An unusual factnot for war in Ukraine, but for any other armed conflict known in history. If the battle of drones was redefining the modern combat, the conflict gave green light to something new: dwarfs of drones “mother” in turn launching other drones to attack in turn to rival drones. The latest: boats with missiles demolishing Russian fighters, and without No one behind the wheel of vessels.

Lethal innovation in the Black Sea. In an unprecedented event, the Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR) managed to tear down two Russian fighters Su-30 Flanker using air-air missiles AIM-9 Sidewinder. The surprising thing is from where they launched: Magura-7 naval dronesas Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov declared exclusively To The War Zone.

This unpublished action, which occurred in the Black Sea, represents not only the first time that combat planes are dejected From unmanned vesselsbut also the First lethal use AIM-9 missile confirmed from this type of platform, which underlines the degree of sophistication and innovation achieved by Ukrainian forces in the Maritime Theater of Operations.

Details of an unusual attack. Apparently, the operation used three magura-7 dronesan anti -aircraft variant of the model Magura-5of which two shot at the Russian fighters. According to Budanovthe first SU-30 was reached and its crew survived after being rescued by a civil ship, while it is presumed that the pilots of the second apparatus perished in the attack.

So far, there are only images of the first demolition disseminated in networks social. We remember that the use of AIM-9M missiles, a more advanced variant than R-73 Sovietdemonstrates Ukraine’s ability to integrate Western armament into unconventional platforms. Unlike R-73, the AIM-9M lacks the High-Off-Boresight capacity (Hobs), forcing the missile to be oriented directly towards the objective to acquire white. However, their best background discrimination, infrared countermeasures and smokeless propulsion offer significant tactical advantages, especially in an environment where drones must operate with discretion.

Precedents and evolution of doctrine. The incident is put along with the occurred in DecemberWhen Ukraine reported the successful use of an R-73 triggered from a USV to deed a Mi-8 helicopter Russian. Since January, according to Budanov, Ukrainian engineers began to install AIM-9 in these unmanned vehicles, consolidating an evolution that Combine elements of air defense, electronic war and asymmetric naval combat.

Although the exact launch configurations have not been disclosed by Ukrainian intelligence, everything indicates that Magura-7 represents A hybrid node high mobility capable of operating in areas where air control is highly disputed.

Russian reactions and consequences. Moscow’s response has not been waiting. Through various Channels in Telegrammilitary analysts and commentators have recognized the effectiveness of the attack and indicated the growing deficiencies in the defensive capacity of the Black Sea. The War Cárs correspondent Kitten channel He expressed his alarm For three factors: the loss of the maritime initiative, the degradation of the Black Sea fleet after the destruction of the Moskva cruise, and the apparent Ukrainian domain in the use of unmanned vessels capable of projecting power even on the Russian coastal airspace.

The analyst Vladislav Shurygin regretted That the attack followed the same lure and ambush pattern already observed in other Ukrainian operations, criticizing that Russian doctrine seems unable to adapt to these tactics. Meanwhile, the Two Majors channel strongly questioned the Lack of effective means To neutralize the USV, proposing the use of FPV drones or the combination of UAV of Zala recognition With ammunition Lancet Merodetersas already happens on the mainland.

Technological implications. No doubt, the use of air-air missiles on non-manned naval platforms redefines the rules of combat in the black Sea. Historically, The Sidewinder They have adapted to naval defense systems Like the Chaparralbut its surface Kamikaze drones grants Ukraine a mobile, hidden and scalable tactical capacity, capable of deterring Russian aviation without compromising high -value human or material resources.

In addition, it reflects a constant evolution in the use of donated western systems, many of which, such as AIM-9M, were originally thought For manned fighters and now they are reconfigured on innovative platforms that They multiply its impact strategic. Although the United States and its allies have not publicly detailed how many missiles of this type have delivered to Ukraine, it seems clear that its use is far from limiting themselves to conventional air combat and is expanding the lethality of the Ukrainian autonomous systems.

A turning point. In short, the demolition of the two SU-30 fighters by Ukrainian naval drones Mark a symbolic and operational turning point. As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, the control of the maritime space becomes as crucial as the land domain, and kyiv once again demonstrates its ability to convert material limitations in asymmetric advantages.

We have come counting as that grew Industry without a paragon Around drones. By integrating Western technologies with its own doctrine, Ukraine is creating a new class of hybrid threats difficult to detect, anticipate or counteract. The incident not only represents a punctual victory in tactical terms, but also a meridianly clear message: Russian naval power is no longer unquestionable not even in front of small unmanned boats that are capable of driving fighters tens of kilometers from the coast.

Image | Alex BeltyukovGUR SCREENCAP

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