During a June attack on the coastal city of Pivdenne in Ukraine's Odesa region, russian forces might have used a Murena-300 unmanned surface vessel, a remotely piloted kamikaze boat first shown in August 2024. The possible involvement of this drone, never seen in combat before, was suspected by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Suspilne learned upon an an inquiry submitted on July 2.
"There is a high probability that russia has completed the development of unmanned strike boats, which could pose a serious threat to civilians in coastal settlements," the statement reads.
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According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the Murena-300 has the following specifications:
- Dimensions (length/width) – 5.5 m/1.4 m;
- Displacement – up to 1,000 tons;
- Hull material – composite;
- Cruising speed – 45 knots;
- Maximum range – 500 km;
- Communication and navigation channels – satellite communication channel, inertial navigation system;
- Payload weight – up to 500 kg;
- Payload – camera with 40x optical zoom, infrared camera, thermal imager.
In unspecified early days of June 2025, russian troops attempted to use naval drones against the city of Pivdenne in the Odesa region, southern Ukraine, but the attack failed, Suspilne reports citing the DIU chief Kyrylo Budanov.
According to him, russian troops used experimental models of marine drones, which did not achieve their objectives.
"They detonated as they approached our territorial waters, without even reaching them. They were heading for the city of Pivdenne and were looking for their targets there," Budanov stated.
It was not possible to determine exactly which targets russian forces were planning to hit, but the attack ended unsuccessfully for them.
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