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4mo ago

Ukraine Uses Maritime Drone to Down Russian Fighter Jet in a First

Kyiv reports unprecedented use of sea-based drone technology to destroy two Su-30 jets as Russia escalates drone attacks on Ukrainian cities.

This screen grab from a clip posted by Ukrainian intelligence to X (formerly Twitter) shows the view from the targeting system of a Magura naval drone as it engages with a Russian Su-30 fighter jet over the Black Sea near Novorossiysk, Russia, on May 2, 2025
This screengrab from a video released by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine shows what they say is a Russian Su-30 fighter jet being shot down over the Black Sea by a Ukrainian seaborne Magura drone on Friday. CNN could not independently verify the claim.
KHARKIV, UKRAINE - MAY 3: Firefighters work at the site of a Russian drone strike on May 3, 2025 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. During the attack on the city, the Russian army used strike drones equipped with thermobaric warheads. Four districts of Kharkiv came under fire: Osnovianskyi, Slobidskyi, Saltivskyi, and Kyivskyi. A total of 51 people were injured. (Photo by Viktoriia Yakymenko/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC "UA:PBC"/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Ukraine claims its GUR military intelligence unit used a Magura V5 maritime drone to shoot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets over the Black Sea, marking the first use of such technology to destroy combat aircraft.
  • The first jet was confirmed downed near Novorossiisk on May 2, with video evidence released; the second strike, reported later, lacks visual confirmation but was corroborated by Ukrainian officials.
  • Russia launched a record 1,180 drones at Ukraine in the past week, including a massive overnight barrage that injured 11 people in Kyiv, set residential buildings ablaze, and damaged vehicles.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated support for a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Russia has dismissed in favor of a three-day truce coinciding with its Victory Day celebrations.
  • Both sides continue to escalate drone warfare, with Ukraine targeting Russian military infrastructure and Russia deploying thermobaric drones in attacks on Ukrainian cities, raising civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.