Ukrainian defenders continue to write the history of military affairs, having destroyed an aerial target for the first time during an actual battle using a naval drone. This occurred on December 31, 2024, evidently near the shores of occupied Crimea.
The released video shows how the enemy, using a fighter jet and a couple of Mi-8 helicopters, attempts to intercept Ukrainian naval drones, but this is precisely the case where the hunter becomes the prey. Several Magura V5 drones were equipped with R-73 missiles, which were successfully used to strike Russian helicopters.
As a result of the launches, one helicopter was shot down, with the missile hit and its fall captured on video. The second helicopter, as noted, was damaged but managed to reach the airfield. Subsequently, interceptions of conversations among Russian pilots were also made public.
However, behind this achievement lies more than just the meticulous work of the drone operators; it involves all the fighters who closely collaborated to plan, organize, and execute this mission, as well as the developers of this weaponry.
Notably, the report highlights that the Magura V5 utilizes not just a standard R-73 missile, but rather an apparent modification known as the R-73 SeeDragon. Information about it is scarce, but it is evident that changes were made to the design of the Soviet-made "air-to-air" missile, which was produced in Ukraine, to enable operation in a rather aggressive marine environment.
Moreover, it can be observed that during the target's destruction, the R-73 SeeDragon successfully hits the target even though the enemy's Mi-8 actively deploys heat flares. Therefore, it is plausible that this missile incorporates a new seeker head with improved false target filtering capabilities.
Additionally, the missile needed to be integrated with a targeting system. Elements of its operation are also present in the video, and one can notice that the sight uses its own thermal imager, while the fire control system signals when a target is locked. Combining the missile with the new targeting system is certainly no simple task.
At the same time, the operator evidently has to maintain target lock for the infrared seeker of the missile within a rather narrow field. If this presents one level of difficulty on a ground platform, it poses an entirely different challenge at sea during the drone's movement and waves.
The fact that a considerable amount of time passed between the initial reports about the Magura V5 being armed with R-73 missiles back in May 2024 and today's first successful combat use may indicate that this time was spent updating the fire control system and creating a special version of the missile. But the most important thing is that the combat record of Ukrainian naval air defense drones has been successfully established.