Ukraine's GUR deploys AI maritime drone carriers in Black Sea
Ukraine's GUR intelligence agency publicly demonstrated AI-powered autonomous maritime drone carriers equipped with Starlink satellite connectivity in a May 2025 documentary film. The platforms, which integrate NATO-standard AI systems with augmented reality control interfaces, have reportedly been used to strike Russian naval targets and coastal positions in Crimea.
What happened
Ukraine's GUR (Main Intelligence Directorate) publicly demonstrated two types of autonomous maritime drone carriers in a documentary film 'Морський бій. Епоха дронів' (Maritime Battle. Epoch of Drones) by filmmaker Artem Shevchenko on 10 May 2025.
The first type features a traditional boat engine with propellers and carries four containers for FPV (first-person view) kamikaze drones, capable of carrying 500 to 3,000 kilograms of various weapons types. The second type has a different hull design and launches four fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. Both platforms are equipped with Starlink satellite internet antennas to extend operational range.
The control station features an augmented reality interface with aviation-style controls and functional buttons. Operators receive images from day, night and thermal cameras through AR goggles that combine multiple angles into a single panoramic view, with display duplication on monitors for other officers at the command post.
Reported impact
According to GUR intelligence personnel featured in the film, the drone carriers enable new tactical capabilities for precision strikes and covering large-scale maritime operations, including insertion of sabotage groups behind enemy lines.
In April 2025, the Prymary unit of GUR used these platforms to deliver munitions to the coast of Crimea, striking several Russian patrol boats and a Tor-M2 air defense system.
Index analysis
The deployment integrates NATO-standard artificial intelligence with satellite communications and augmented reality operator interfaces to enable autonomous targeting and extended-range operations against moving maritime targets.
The system represents an evolution of earlier GUR maritime drone models like Magura V5, incorporating multiple types of armed payloads and networked control systems for complex coordinated operations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.