Russian Fighter Jets Downed By USVs, Claims Ukraine

Ukrainian Magura-7 uncrewed surface vessels have managed to shoot down Russian fighter jets, Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has claimed. 

The widely-reported incidents on Friday appear to represent the first known instances of USVs successfully prosecuting strikes against jet aircraft in combat.

The DIU footage on YouTube

One of the two-seater Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker aircraft had been flying in the Black Sea close to the Novorossiysk Russian naval base. Its crew reportedly ejected and were picked up by a civilian vessel. The other Su-30 was reportedly shot down over occupied Crimea, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

“This is the first time in the world that a combat aircraft has been destroyed by a marine drone,” the DIU said in a statement on Saturday.

Its head Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov said members of DIU's special unit, Group 13, downed the planes using AIM-9 missiles launched from Magura-7 drones. The Russian authorities have not commented on the incident.

• You can read more details about the incident on the DIU’s website