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Russia Relies on Combined Naval and Aerial Drones to Counter Ukrainian Threats in Black Sea.
Facing the growing challenges posed by the war in Ukraine and Kyiv’s extensive use of surface drones, Russia is accelerating the integration of autonomous platforms into its naval doctrine by combining aerial and surface drones into a unified offensive system. On April 29, 2025, Izvestia reported that the Russian Navy is preparing to test the launch of Skvorets-VMF drones from unmanned boats under a program led by the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CUSIT). This dual-mode system, named BEK-UAV, merges surface drones (BEK) and aerial drones into a coordinated unit designed for reconnaissance and strike missions. It aims to enable covert attacks against coastal military infrastructure and naval ambushes while reducing the visibility of such operations.
The Skvorets-VMF drone, already optimized for maritime missions, has been upgraded for deployment at sea (Picture source: Izvestia)
The Skvorets-VMF drone, already optimized for maritime missions, has been upgraded for deployment at sea. It now features vibration-resistant mounts, a rapid onboard recharging system, and a sealed, anti-corrosion-treated body. It can reach speeds of 150 km/h, carry up to 1.5 kg of explosive payloads (shaped or fragmentation charges), and operate within a 10 km radius of the launch point. The drone is controlled in real time via specialized radio links, with a satellite communication upgrade under consideration. Integration with the Katran unmanned boat has already been implemented using a dedicated launch bay on the vessel’s stern, and additional trials are underway with other platforms, including the larger Vizir USV, which is capable of long-endurance missions without an operator thanks to onboard AI.
These developments are part of a broader modernization plan led by the Russian Ministry of Defense. In April 2025, an interagency technical council was created to fast-track the development of unmanned naval systems. Chaired by Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, and backed by United Russia, the Nasha Pravda Foundation, and CUSIT, the council is tasked with selecting the most promising technologies by August 31, 2025, conducting functional testing by October 31, and proceeding to production and formal integration into the Navy. The focus is on systems such as Katran, Vizir, Skvorets-VMF, the Soroka FPV drone, as well as the Hermes communication suite, Ploschad and Orbita command software, and a universal drone control station.
On March 7, 2025, a batch of these systems was formally handed over to the Black Sea Fleet by United Russia and CUSIT. The delivery included the Skvorets-VMF, the Soroka drone, the Talisman video signal jammer, and the Katran unmanned surface vessel. The Soroka FPV drone is designed for target acquisition via onboard optics and is capable of operating in radio-shadow zones or under electronic warfare interference. The Talisman jammer is meant to disrupt enemy visual transmissions. These deliveries are part of Moscow’s efforts to reinforce a fleet that has been severely impacted by repeated Ukrainian drone and missile strikes.
Since 2022, Ukraine has employed asymmetric tactics in the Black Sea with considerable effect, particularly through the use of naval drones such as the Magura V5 and Sea Baby. These platforms have inflicted notable losses on the Russian fleet, including the sinking of the cruiser Moskva and damage to several ships in Sevastopol. These small, hard-to-detect drones have exploited gaps in conventional defense systems like radar and sonar. In response, Russia has relocated part of its fleet to Novorossiysk and intensified efforts to robotize naval operations.
The coordinated use of aerial and naval drones enables new offensive strategies. A swarm of BEKs can approach landing zones covertly, then release Skvorets drones to strike bunkers, command posts, or troop concentrations, replacing traditional naval fire support. According to developers, these drones can also conduct raids on coastal airfields, artillery positions, or defense industry sites. Such combined drone-boat configurations may overwhelm a warship’s defense systems through multi-directional attacks, targeting critical components like radar arrays or communications antennas, paving the way for follow-up missile strikes.
Russia is also investing in serial production. The Vizir, a heavy naval drone presented at the 2024 Flot exhibition, is already in industrial production. It can carry payloads or weapons and return autonomously to base after completing its mission. Another project, the Marlin kamikaze drone—available in both riverine and maritime versions—is designed to strike targets directly. The river variant carries 1.5 kg of explosives, while the maritime version carries 2 kg. Together, these systems form a diversified arsenal aimed at countering the expanding use of Ukrainian drones.
In this context, Russia is attempting to close the gap and establish a new form of naval presence. Drones such as Skvorets and Katran could play a critical role in repelling Ukrainian incursions, securing maritime routes, and adding tactical depth to a fleet under pressure. However, the successful deployment of these systems will depend on reliable communications and the resilience of their platforms in contested electromagnetic environments. Russian experts argue that a national satellite network equivalent to Starlink would be required to achieve full operational independence—something currently in development.
Ultimately, the deployment of these systems to the Black Sea Fleet signals a strategic shift in Russian naval posture. By betting on offensive automation, Russia seeks to regain initiative in a theater where asymmetric warfare, maritime drones, and electronic conflict are reshaping naval power. Whether these new technologies can deliver results against a technologically supported, adaptive adversary remains to be seen.