Video: Ukrainian Drone Boat Launches Bomber Drones To Destroy Russian Radar

In a major advancement in drone warfare, Ukraine has launched a bomber drone from a drone boat to destroy a high-value Russian radar system in occupied Crimea.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the strike took place overnight between July 1 and 2, 2025. According to their statement, a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV), also called a drone boat, sailed close to the coast of Crimea carrying a heavy bomber drone on its deck. Once it reached a suitable distance, the drone was launched from the boat.

The sea drone had a satellite uplink system that helped maintain communication with the bomber drone throughout the mission. The drone flew over the coastline and reached a parking area where it located the Russian Nebo-M radar system. It then dropped munitions and destroyed three key components: an RLM-M VHF radar, an RLM-D AESA L-band radar, and a command post truck.

The Nebo-M radar system is a multiband, high-tech air defense radar known for its ability to detect stealth aircraft and hypersonic missiles. It usually includes one to three large truck-mounted radar arrays and can work with S-300 and S-400 missile systems for tracking and guidance. Due to these advanced capabilities, such radars are important targets for Ukraine.

This new tactic offers several advantages. Unlike FPV (first-person view) drones used in earlier missions, bomber drones can carry heavier explosives and attack more than one target in a single flight. They also do not need to crash into the target, allowing them to remain in the air longer and hit multiple positions before returning or running out of power.

Ukraine has also developed bomber drones that can launch guided munitions, making them more effective.

In March 2025, Ukraine had already used FPV drones launched from drone boats to hit Russian radars and surface-to-air missile systems. The new use of bomber drones increases the range and power of such attacks.

A popular Russian Telegram channel called Two Majors acknowledged the attack. They said the drone boat managed to approach unnoticed and launched bomber drones equipped with drop systems. They pointed out that these drones were able to carry out several strikes each.

One of the bomber drones was recovered by Russian forces. The channel also claimed that the sea drone was later destroyed by Russian aircraft, though no proof was provided.

Ukraine’s use of drone boats has already had a major impact on the war at sea. With U.S. support and satellite communication technology, Ukraine has created a series of advanced unmanned boats like the Magura V5.

These vessels have been used along with anti-ship missiles to force the Russian Navy out of the western Black Sea. Per reports, about one-third of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been sunk or damaged through drone boat swarms and precision strikes.

The Magura V5 is the most advanced of Ukraine’s sea drones so far. In December 2024, a Magura boat armed with missiles shot down a Russian helicopter, marking the first time in history that an unmanned boat had taken down an aircraft.

In May 2025, another Magura was used to shoot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet, which was the first time a fast jet had ever been brought down by a drone boat.

Reference: TWZ

Source: Maritime Shipping News