Overview

• Russia publicly deployed explosive unmanned surface vessels during July Storm from July 23–27 to demonstrate naval drone strike capabilities.
• Ukraine’s intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanow confirmed that experimental USVs detonated prematurely before entering Ukrainian waters.
• Russian developers are reverse-engineering Ukraine’s Magura design with prototypes like Oduvanchik and Katran, though reliance on radio control limits their range.
• The Russian Navy intends to establish at least five marine drone regiments and is advancing underwater drones aimed at ports and offshore infrastructure.
• Allied armies have fully integrated drone operation and counter-UAS modules into basic infantry training, prioritizing dispersed small-unit tactics and three-dimensional threat awareness.