Ukraine unveils underwater suicide drone with 600-mile range in new threat to Russian navy
Ukraine has revealed a new marine suicide drone with a video showing the “Marichka” being taken for a test swim as Kyiv continues to develop unmanned capabilities and threaten the Russian navy.
The prototype produced by volunteer engineers at government-linked startup Ammo Ukraine is said to be around six metres long with a range of more than 600 miles, which would allow it to strike targets deep in Russian territory as well as occupied Crimea.
The Marichka, named after the Ukrainian equivalent of Mary, has a price tag of £350,000.
The video shows servicemen with blurred faces conducting tests in an undisclosed location.
It is unclear when the design could enter active service but Ukraine has previously tested experimental systems in combat, notably in the sinking of Russian flagship Moskva with a Neptune missile that was still in development in April 2022.
The Marichka joins a rapidly expanding stable of homemade drones in Ukraine’s arsenal. Kyiv’s drone industry has undergone a dramatic transformation over the course of the war through a partnership between the government, private sector, and international supporters, producing new designs for air, land, and sea.
Ukraine has escalated attacks on the Black Sea Fleet and other targets in Crimea over recent weeks, with marine drones playing a central role.
Attacks on Crimea Bridge, which connects the occupied peninsula with Russia, and ships in the harbour at Novorossiysk port were carried out with the Magura V5 ‘Sea Baby’ drone, said to be capable of travelling 500 miles and carrying 300 kilograms of explosives.
Russia has moved many of its ships away from Crimea after several vessels were damaged and destroyed – but the Marichka could increase the threat they face.
Ukraine is increasingly targeting the fleet due to its central role in missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, with many of the recent attacks on the port city of Odesa launched from the Black Sea. Russia has claimed it is targeting marine drone facilities in Odesa.
The unveiling of the drone was greeted with excitement by Ukrainians. “Can’t wait to see Marichka hunting for Russian ships,” said security analyst Maria Avdeeva.
Independent naval analyst Hal Sutton wrote: “Among the many large underwater drone projects around the world, [Marichka] is probably the first born directly from wartime needs.”
