Ukraine confirms using Magura drones armed with AIM‑9X missiles to strike Russian fighter jets over the Black Sea

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has confirmed the combat use of Magura V7 surface drones armed with AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to strike Russian aircraft over the Black Sea. This was stated by the head of the DIU, Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with The War Zone.

On 6 June 2025, a Magura V7 drone engaged two Russian Su-30 fighters. One aircraft evaded the attack by deploying flares and withdrawing. The second incident remains under investigation: according to intercepted radio communications, the pilot reported being under attack, after which contact was lost. The DIU is currently determining whether the aircraft was downed.

This marks at least the second confirmed instance of surface drones being used to attack Russian fighter jets. In early May, the DIU reportedly destroyed two Russian Su-30s. It was initially believed that older AIM-9L/M missiles had been used, but it was later clarified that the more advanced AIM-9X variant was deployed. The AIM-9X missile, which entered service in 2003, exists in two versions; it is not specified which modification has been integrated into the Ukrainian drones.

The AIM-9X offers several advantages over its predecessors, notably its ability to lock on to targets beyond the direct line of sight, enabling more effective engagement of manoeuvring targets. The earlier reports of Magura V7 drones being equipped with AIM-9L/M missiles were likely related to testing or demonstration purposes rather than operational use.

The missiles are launched from fixed, aircraft-style rail launchers that do not provide lateral traversal. As a result, the drone must be accurately aligned with the target prior to launch. Despite these constraints, the improved targeting capabilities of the AIM-9X allow for effective engagement of aerial targets even from a dynamically moving maritime platform.

In May, the DIU disclosed technical details of the Magura drone series. The primary model in current operations, the Magura V5, features swarm operation capability, automatic target tracking, multi-channel satellite communications, thermal imaging cameras, and the option to mount a combat module with a machine gun. The newer V7 version includes an acoustic environment monitoring system and has an operational range of up to 1,500 kilometres.