Ukraine strikes Russian landing ship Cesar Kunikov challenging claims of Russian control over Black Sea.

According to information published by Golosameriki on February 14, 2024, the Ukrainian armed forces employed the MAGURA V5 drone to target the Russian Project 775 (Ropucha class) landing ship Cesar Kunikov, leading to its reported sinking.
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Ukrainian Ropucha-class landing ship Cesar Kunikov. (Picture source: Ukrainian Group 13)

This incident has not been commented on by Russian authorities. The strike occurred near the Katsiveli settlement on the southern coast of Crimea, with details provided by "Ukrainska Pravda" through a military intelligence source.

The MAGURA V5, a multi-purpose surface unmanned boat, is designed for a range of operations including surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.

The development of this drone was announced by the Ukrainian government in November 2022, and it was unveiled at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkey, in July 2023. Following the fair, reports confirmed the MAGURA V5 was not only an exhibition model but also fully operational.

With a length of 5.5 meters and a gross weight of under 1000 kg, the MAGURA V5 can carry a payload of 320 kg, including a combat load of up to 200 kg. It has an operating range of up to 400 km, with a maximum range of operation extending to 800 km, and can operate autonomously for up to 60 hours.

The drone reaches cruising speeds of 41 km/h and a maximum speed of 78 km/h. It features advanced navigation systems and ensures secure communication through 256-bit encryption.

The cost of the system is reported to be about 273,000 USD, encompassing the drone itself, a ground-based autonomous control station, a transportation and storage system, and a data center.

The MAGURA V5 has been used in various operational scenarios, notably in November 2023 when it destroyed two landing craft at a Russian Navy base in Chornomorske, Crimea, and in early 2024 when it contributed to the sinking of the Russian Tarantul-III class missile corvette Ivanovets.