Further details of the actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out on 2 May in the Black Sea, close the port in Noworosyjsk are revealed. 2 Russian Su-30 fighters were shot down in the process, worth about $50 million each. The drops were made by the Magura V7 submarine-armed rockets.
Illustration image Su-30.
A day after the incident, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) revealed a recording depicting the shooting down of 1 of the fighters. On May 3, evening president Volodymyr Zelenski reported that another plane had been dropped. Then it became clear that both machines were destroyed during 1 mission. The available information indicated that the crew of the first jet survived the hit – the pilots were taken from the water by a civilian ship. The destiny of the second crew remained unclear. Only a fewer hours later, sources from both sides confirmed that 2 airmen had died.
Success without confirmation
The Russians and Ukrainians disagree in the description of the event. According to Russian media, the Ukrainian military utilized dozens of submarine drones, most likely to attack docking units and coastal infrastructure in port. According to these accounts, the attack was repulsed. There are many indications that his scale was deliberately exaggerated to depict this episode as a "overwhelming blow". In this view, the simultaneous failure of 2 aircraft does not seem to be a large price for the success. The point is that the Russians do not present any evidence – films or pictures of wrecks – that would confirm their revelations.
The Ukrainian version, in an interview with the War region portal, was presented by HUR chief Gen. Kyrylo Budanow. The general stated that 3 Magura V7 drones were active in the operation, unlike the erstwhile V5 version adapted for air defense. So there was no intention of attacking ships or infrastructure – from the beginning it was about hunting aircraft. The Russians have experience in combating the submarines from the air – with helicopters and fighters – it could so be assumed that they would choice up machines erstwhile they located intruders close the main Black Sea Fleet base now. But luckily for them, Ukrainian Magurs carried modified weapons on board.
The first were helicopters.
Contrary to first speculation that the Su-30 were destroyed by russian R-73 missiles, drones were armed with American AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. – AIM-9 proved to be the best combination with Magura V7, although respective another types of rockets were tested – General Budanow admitted.
Sidewinder is simply a rocket headed for a heat source. Designed to fight air-to-air at short distances, after appropriate modifications can be fired from ground launchers. As it turns out now, besides waterborne. According to Gen. Budanow AIM-9 in specified configuration has a scope of up to 10 km.
In turn Magura V7 is the latest production of Ukrainian method thought. This unmanned submarine (USV) was developed specifically for HUR. Its compact dimensions (8 m long, 1.5 m wide) and hydrodynamic fuselage supply advanced maneuverability and hinder detection. The V7 Magura operation is based on GNSS, inertial and visual navigation systems. The device can operate autonomously or be distant controlled. Autopilot, night imagination and silent motor (electric or hybrid) further minimise the hazard of detection. The vehicle reaches 78 km/h, has a scope of 800 km and a burden capacity of up to 320 kg. It works in suicide, escort, mine control and infrastructure protection.
The mission in which a naval drone shot down a combat plane is the first specified case in military history. But there's another 1 in which an unmanned floating camera knocked down a manned flying unit. In January, Ukrainian Magury attacked Russian helicopters – then 2 Mi-8s fell into the sea.