Ukraine Now Utilizing Drone Boats To Assault Russian Riverine Targets

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Ukraine is increasing its uncrewed surface vessel (USV) assaults to hit Russian targets on the Dnipro River and its tributaries. Kyiv’s USV marketing campaign has beforehand hit enemy shipping , warships , and infrastructure in assaults made well-known by the country’s State Security Service (SBU) and Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR).

In the meantime, as Russia begins to build out its own USV effort, Ukraine also said it struck a storage site for these vessels on Tuesday evening in a preemptive effort to maintain them from being deployed.

The fortieth Coastal Protection Brigade of the thirtieth Marine Corps lately launched a video exhibiting the Barracuda USV it developed finishing up a mission within the Dnipro area. The video purports to indicate the Barracuda making its approach by way of an inlet earlier than hitting a small camouflaged Russian boat and outpost. The video then cuts to aerial drone views exhibiting an explosion and ensuing destruction.

“The unmanned boat ‘Barracuda’ carried out one other profitable mission,” the Corps stated on Telegram .

Много говорят про БЭКи "Магура" от ГУР МО Украины и Sea Child от СБУ, хотя СОУ применяют и другие средства, не так часто показывающие свою результативную работу в эфирах всяких там "марафончиков".

Одним из таких БЭК является Barracuda 40-й ОБрБО.

Одно из видео как БЭК выполнил… pic.twitter.com/MSBQAeGHQX

— Alexander Kovalenko (@zloy_odessit) December 24, 2025

The Barracuda USV is operated by a particular unit of the identical identify, in accordance with the thirtieth Marine Corps.

“The eponymous particular unit, subordinated to the fortieth Marine Brigade, independently designed and launched a water drone, which is already defending the coasts of Ukraine,” the Corps explained .

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="607" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6486349" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=50&h=30 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=280&h=166 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=289&h=171 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=300&h=178 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=308&h=183 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=364&h=216 364w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=370&h=219 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=580&h=344 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=660&h=391 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=668&h=396 668w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=675&h=400 675w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=768&h=455 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda3.jpg?w=1024&h=607 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A Barracuda uncrewed floor vessel designed and operated by Ukraine’s thirtieth Marine Corps. (thirtieth Marine Corps screencap)

Unveiled earlier this 12 months, the Barracuda was designed to hold out a number of missions, together with one-way assault, strikes with grenades and first-person view (FPV) drones and resupply, in accordance with the Corps.

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="551" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="A Ukrainian Barracuda USV equipped with grenade launchers." class="wp-image-6486356" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=50&h=27 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=280&h=151 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=289&h=156 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=300&h=161 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=308&h=166 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=370&h=199 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=401&h=216 401w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=580&h=312 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=660&h=355 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=704&h=379 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=743&h=400 743w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=768&h=413 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barracuda4_9b96ca.jpg?w=1024&h=551 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> A Ukrainian Barracuda USV outfitted with launchers. (thirtieth Marine Corps screencap)

This modular design is just like the Sea Child USVs produced by the SBU and the Magura line of USVs operated by GUR that have frequently staged attacks in the Black Sea. Along with serving as one-way assault weapons, the USVs beforehand deployed by Ukraine have brought down jets and helicopters and launched attacks using aerial drones . This onslaught has already stored Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) at bay, forcing it to retreat from Crimea to Novorossiysk. Ukrainian USVs have additionally damaged enemy military facilities in occupied Crimea and the Kerch Bridge .

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="576" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="In an exclusive interview, Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), talks about his drone boat campaign against Russia." class="wp-image-6451039" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=280&h=158 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=289&h=163 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=300&h=169 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=308&h=173 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=370&h=208 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=384&h=216 384w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=580&h=326 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=660&h=371 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=704&h=396 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=711&h=400 711w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=768&h=432 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Budanov-On-Drone-Boats.jpg?w=1024&h=576 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> One in all GUR’s Magura-7 USVs. (GUR) GUR

Nonetheless, in contrast to Ukraine’s long-range USVs, the Barracuda just isn't outfitted with satellite tv for pc communications.

“Its vary is subsequently restricted, making it appropriate primarily for short-distance missions among the many islands of the Dnipro River, which corresponds with the working space of the fortieth Coastal Protection Brigade,” the Ukrainian United24 media outlet noted .

The unit claims that the Barracuda is guided partly by synthetic intelligence, however doesn't present any particulars.

🇺🇦 Ukraine’s Marines unveil a brand new riverine naval drone — Barracuda.

Constructed by the fortieth Coastal Protection Brigade, it’s modular, AI-enabled, and tailor-made for Dnipro island warfare: mining channels, putting with grenade launchers, and resupplying positions. pic.twitter.com/0a11OsO7R5

— Ivan Khomenko (@KhomenkoIv60065) August 24, 2025

Total, the Barracuda seems to be a bit cheaper and fewer complicated design that's higher optimized for decrease precedence targets in riverine and shallow littoral areas. The shortage of a satellite tv for pc communications system is fascinating as management of the boat must be offered regionally, inside line of sight of the boat or at the very least inside line of sight of a relay, such as a drone , flying overhead. The boat might additionally comply with waypoint navigation autonomously, however making pinpoint assaults in complicated waterways could be a problem for such an idea of operations.

The Barracuda assaults are a part of a fight taking place on the Dnipro , its inlets and islands for the reason that Ukrainian’s recaptured Kherson Metropolis in November 2023. With neither facet having the ability to launch a significant cross-river assault because of the problem of crossing a physique of water whereas beneath fireplace from drones and artillery, the 2 sides have been jockeying for place on this space on a a lot smaller scale.

The success of Ukraine’s USVs has not been misplaced on Russia. Earlier this 12 months, Moscow carried out a drone boat attack on a Ukrainian Navy reconnaissance ship within the mouth of the Danube River. That incident marked Russia’s first confirmed use of those weapons. Along with constructing its personal drone boats, Russia additionally created devoted models to function them. You may learn extra about Russia’s USV growth in our story here .

The next video reveals the August Russian USV assault on the Ukrainian ship.

Although there have been no confirmed Russian USV assaults since August, Ukraine stays involved concerning the potential for future strikes.

“As a part of a scientific discount of the Russian aggressor’s military-economic potential, on the evening of December 24, models of the Ukrainian Protection Forces carried out profitable strikes on a number of enemy targets,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces Normal Workers claimed on Wednesday. “The storage and upkeep website for unmanned boats within the space of Mirny within the quickly occupied Ukrainian Crimea was hit.”

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" height="582" width="1024" src="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?strip=all&quality=85&w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-6486357" srcset="https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=50&h=28 50w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=280&h=159 280w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=289&h=164 289w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=300&h=170 300w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=308&h=175 308w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=370&h=210 370w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=380&h=216 380w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=580&h=330 580w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=660&h=375 660w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=697&h=396 697w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=704&h=400 704w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=768&h=436 768w, https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Myrmyi.jpg?w=1024&h=582 1024w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"/> Ukraine says it launched an assault on a Russian drone boat storage and upkeep facility in Myrnyi, Crimea. (Google Earth)

The Normal Workers didn't present any visible proof of the outcomes of the assault and mentioned that the extent of the harm continues to be being decided.

Whereas Ukraine’s Barracuda USVs haven't but been finishing up assaults on high-value targets, the drone boats give Kyiv’s beleaguered forces one other weapon they'll use to assist defend its inner waterways.

Contact the creator: howard@thewarzone.com

Howard is a Senior Workers Author for The Struggle Zone , and a former Senior Managing Editor for Navy Instances . Previous to this, he lined army affairs for the Tampa Bay Instances as a Senior Author. Howard's work has appeared in varied publications together with Yahoo Information , RealClearDefense , and Air Drive Instances .