The Ukrainian Navy eliminated an enemy unmanned surface vehicle (USV) near the Odesa region.
The drone was attempting to approach one of the region’s seaports, the Ukrainian Navy reported on social media.
Sailors detected the target as it was moving toward port infrastructure. Immediately after identifying the object, naval units successfully neutralized the threat.
A Mavic reconnaissance drone was also deployed for the operation to conduct surveillance. The target was likely neutralized using small arms or a combat module equipped with a machine gun.
In April 2025, Russia announced the creation of a new interagency working group under the Ministry of Defense — the Technical Council for the Development of Unmanned Systems and Technologies for Maritime Applications. It is expected to serve as a specialized platform for accelerating the development of promising technologies and providing the navy with cutting-edge solutions.
Among the flagship models closest to serial production for the Navy, Russian sources highlight the Katran unmanned boat and the Shpak VMF FPV drone, adapted for launch from ships and boats. In addition, in 2025, the start of deliveries of the Vizir drones was expected.
Later, in May 2025, it was reported that the Russian Navy had begun forming specialized naval regiments of unmanned systems.
The new regiments are to be equipped with a wide range of robotic technology — from aerial and ground drones to unmanned boats and underwater vehicles.
In mid-July, it was reported that a joint center for the production of naval drones had been opened at the Kingisepp Machine-Building Plant defense-industrial enterprise in St. Petersburg.
It was reported that the Center’s drones would be equipped with water jets of its own production with 100% domestic content. By the end of 2024, additional machine tools had already been procured for this purpose.
And on July 26, during the large-scale “July Storm” exercises, the Russian military struck a target with a kamikaze naval drone for the first time as part of fleet exercises.
For more detailed information, we have an article on the evolution of Russian naval drones and their role in the Russian military.
