Ukrainian naval forces have increasingly relied on versatile, remotely operated drones to challenge Russian dominance in the Black Sea, reshaping naval warfare amid the ongoing conflict. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in early 2022, Kyiv has expanded its use of inexpensive, off-the-shelf drone technology to target enemy vessels and installations, demonstrating a shift toward layered, unmanned maritime defense and offense.
These drone boats serve multiple functions: they can be equipped with surface-to-air missiles to counter enemy aircraft, carry smaller aerial drones closer to targets, and engage in direct confrontations with Russian counterparts on the water. Last month, footage emerged showing a drone-on-drone battle between Ukrainian and Russian vessels. Ukrainian forces have also employed such drones for pioneering amphibious operations—for example, deploying a remote-controlled ground vehicle armed with a machine gun onto a Russian-occupied peninsula.
Ukraine’s naval drone strategy has gained international attention. Unlike traditional naval fleets, these remote-controlled vessels are relatively low cost and can be rapidly produced and updated. Twenty-seven Ukrainian companies are currently testing various drone platforms and technologies, accelerating innovation within the country’s defense industry. According to Dennis Kanin, director of Ukraine’s Unmanned Naval Association, the expense of maintaining a single warship could instead provide comprehensive waterborne security through drone operations for smaller nations.
The success of Ukraine’s drone fleet has drawn interest from abroad. Ukrainian company UFO RCE, maker of the Magura sea drones—the first kamikaze drones used by Ukraine—is preparing to begin production in the United States through a joint venture. Meanwhile, Norway’s largest defense contractor, Kongsberg, has established a presence in Ukraine, collaborating with local drone manufacturers. Other countries in the Nordic and Baltic regions, as well as Japan, have expressed interest in cooperation, alongside Gulf states considering drone acquisitions as part of broader security agreements.
Officials highlight the relevance of Ukraine’s naval drone technology for regions with vulnerable coastlines, such as the Persian Gulf, where fast-approaching threats like Iranian-designed Shahed drones can strike with little warning. By placing air defense systems at sea on unmanned platforms, early detection and interception capabilities are enhanced, providing critical reaction time.
The development of these systems has involved extensive trial and error. Early Ukrainian drones, derived from civilian motorboats, were tested and refined throughout 2023, with operators learning to recover and repair damaged units. Units under Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) have pioneered the integration of sea drones carrying swarms of smaller attack drones, enabling coordinated strikes on Russian offshore radar installations to blind defenses ahead of further assaults on Black Sea ports.
In April, Ukraine’s 412th Unmanned Systems Brigade successfully used waterborne platforms launching interceptor drones to shoot down two Russian Shahed drones, demonstrating the adaptability of these systems to evolving threats. Future plans include mounting longer-range, heavier weaponry on naval drones.
While the technology itself is important, Ukrainian commanders emphasize that flexible, well-trained personnel are crucial to the effectiveness of drone warfare. “Technology is not what matters most,” said Lt. Col. Yuriy Kochevenko, leader of Ukraine’s sea drone battalion. “People are.” As the conflict continues, Ukraine’s innovative use of unmanned naval systems is influencing military planners worldwide and could signal a new paradigm in maritime conflict.