Air War in Ukraine
Naval Drone Destroys Russian Fighter Jet
Text: Miro Barič
In today's continuation of the series, we focus on the period from May 1 to May 31. Both sides intensified the drone war, with Russia especially increasing its activity in the latter half of the period. Ukraine, on the other hand, achieved another breakthrough: it became the first country in the world to shoot down a supersonic fighter jet using a missile launched from a naval drone – and they downed two at once.
In the previous period, several videos appeared showing successful Ukrainian attacks on Russian radars and air defense missile systems. Ukrainians likely concluded that Russian air defenses had been weakened and launched a large-scale drone attack on naval and air bases in Crimea during the night from Thursday, May 1 to Friday, May 2. Explosions were heard in Sevastopol, Dzhankoy, Saki, Novofedorivka, and other locations. Ukrainian drones also attacked in the opposite direction. In Russia’s Stavropol Krai, 450 km from the front line, they hit base No. 33443 named Zvezda, used by Russian military intelligence (GRU) to intercept electronic communications from Western satellites.
A similar attack occurred the following night, May 2 to 3. Ukrainians launched over 170 drones, three Neptune cruise missiles, and eight Storm Shadow missiles. Also involved were 14 Magura naval drones. Targets were struck in Crimea and in Russia's Rostov, Krasnodar, Bryansk, Belgorod, and Krasnodar regions. One of the main targets was the naval base in Novorossiysk. And that’s where the breakthrough happened.
Magura Equipped with AIM-9X
Ukrainian military intelligence unit Group 13 has been successfully using Magura naval drones for some time. Initially, they attacked only ships, but Russia began using helicopters and later fighters against the drones. So, the Maguras were fitted with machine guns and later air-defense missiles. Group 13 has recorded 17 naval and aerial hits, of which 15 were confirmed destroyed. Besides ships, they’ve destroyed two Mi-8 helicopters and, most recently, two Su-30 fighter jets.
This naval drone comes in various versions. The Magura V5 is designed for ship destruction; the V7 version carries machine guns and missiles. The V7 is significantly larger: 7.2 meters long and weighs 3,400 kg — two tons more than the V5. The larger size enables operation in rougher seas and bigger diesel tanks extended the range from 450 to 800 nautical miles (about 1,500 km). The top speed is 39 knots.
Previously, the Magura carried Soviet-made R-73 missiles. For this mission however, it was equipped with the latest US-made AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. Using this missile during the night of May 2, over the Black Sea near Novorossiysk, a Magura V7 drone struck a Su-30SM fighter jet from the 43rd Independent Naval Attack Regiment of the Russian Navy. Both pilots ejected and were rescued by a civilian cargo ship passing by. The next day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that two Su-30 fighter jets had been downed — one near Novorossiysk and one over Crimea.
Magura naval drones. V7 version is on the left, smaller V5 version on the right.
Close-up of the AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles mounted on the Magura V7 drone.
The shootdown of a Su-30SM near Novorossiysk, as seen through the camera of the Magura V7 naval drone.
Ukrainian Drones in Action
Another major Ukrainian attack came on Wednesday, May 7, involving 447 drones and cruise missiles. Key military-industrial targets were hit — a rocket launcher factory in Tula and a fiber optics plant in Saransk. Drones also struck the Kubinka and Shaykovka airfields. There was a large economic impact due to the closure of civilian airports, affecting not only all four Moscow airports but also those in Samara, Volgograd, Nizhny Novgorod, and Perm. Passengers waited up to half a day, and long lines of planes formed on runways.
A successful strike occurred on Sunday, May 11, when Ukrainian missiles hit a Russian command post in Rylsk, Kursk region. According to local witnesses, the strike killed many Russian soldiers. Among the dead was Colonel Alexander Danilov, deputy commander of the 40th Guards Marine Brigade, a veteran of Syria and a recipient of the Hero of the Russian Federation title.
During the night of Friday, May 16, Ukrainians attacked several airfields and ammunition depots in Crimea. The depot in Perevalne continued to explode long after the strike. On Sunday, May 25, Ukrainian drones hit Migalovo airfield in Tver region. During the attack, Russian air defenses nearly shot down a civilian aircraft.
On Wednesday, May 28, Ukraine launched a major strike involving about 300 drones. Targets included the Kronstadt factory in Dubna near Moscow (manufacturer of various types of drones), the N. P. Fedorov plant (aircraft and cruise missile parts), and the Raduga company (maker of Ch-series missiles). A microelectronics development and production plant in Zelenograd was hit as well.
This photo of a Ukrainian Su-25 with AASM Hammer bombs was taken earlier this year. Deployment of these bombs is continuously increasing.
Wreckage of the Russian command post in Rylsk, Kursk region.
Russia Strikes Civilian Van
Russia started slowly with its attacks but escalated them to unprecedented levels by the end of May. On Tuesday, May 13, they launched one of the smallest attacks since the war began — only 10 drones, all shot down by Ukrainian air defenses. Falling debris injured an elderly man.
Just a few days later, on Saturday, May 17, Russia committed another atrocity: a Lancet drone struck a civilian van near Sumy. It was evacuating people fleeing a Russian attack in a border area. Nine people died on the spot, mostly elderly women. Among the dead was a family of three — father, mother, and daughter. Seven others were hospitalized with burns and fractures. All victims were civilians. The Lancet drone uses optical targeting via camera — meaning the operator clearly saw it was a civilian vehicle and deliberately targeted it.
Operator of a Russian Lancet drone attacked a civilian van in Sumy region, killing nine people.
On Wednesday, May 21, a Russian missile hit a Ukrainian military training ground in Sumy region. Ukraine confirmed six soldiers dead and 10 wounded. Russians claimed 70 soldiers killed, a destroyed ammunition depot, and 10 pieces of equipment — not supported by their own footage. Still, this is a major issue for Ukraine, as such attacks on training grounds and unnecessary troop losses are too frequent. It suggests commanders are not adapting to the evolving drone threat and fail at basic safety — a systemic flaw.
Subsequent Russian attacks were focused solely on spreading terror among civilians. Durin the night of Saturday, May 24, Kyiv faced one of the biggest air raids since the war began. Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones. Ukraine shot down six missiles and 128 drones. Another 117 drones crashed due to jamming or as decoys to overwhelm air defenses. Residential buildings and a shopping center were hit. Thirteen people died and over 50 were injured.
The following night, Sunday, May 25, was even worse. Russia launched 298 drones and 68 cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukraine downed 45 missiles and 139 kamikaze drones; another 127 drones crashed. The remaining ones killed 12 people, including three children, and injured 70 more.
Massive night raids continued for the third night. On Monday, May 26, Russia attacked with 355 kamikaze drones and nine cruise missiles targeting 13 Ukrainian regions. Ukraine downed all the missiles and 288 drones. Increasing number of reports suggest that Ukraine is running out of surface-to-air missiles — possibly one aim of the escalating attacks. But the main goal is to pressure Kyiv and its Western allies. Notably, the first round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul during this period. Moscow only sent minor officials who essentially demanded Ukraine's capitulation. When Ukraine refused, they threatened further escalation. Clearly, Russia's goal isn’t peace — it’s buying time to continue its war of conquest.
This is just a fraction of the damage caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities during the reporting period. The photos were published by the Ukrainian emergency services. Their personnel are often targeted in so-called "double-tap" strikes — intentional follow-up attacks on the same civilian location, meant to kill rescue workers.
Deliveries of F-16s and AASM Hammer Bombs
On the ground front, Russia launched an attack on Sumy region. Despite heavy fighting, they made little progress, and Ukrainian forces continued raids into neighboring Russian Kursk region. Ukrainian defenders are effectively supported by aircraft using French-guided AASM Hammer bombs, which have proven very effective. France announced it will produce and deliver 1,200 of these bombs to Ukraine this year, compared to 830 last year. Currently, France delivers about 50 AASM Hammer bombs monthly. With a range of ~70 km thanks to rocket propulsion, they’re also resistant to Russian jamming attempts.
The Netherlands delivered the last of 24 promised F-16s to Ukraine during this period. Norway, which originally pledged six, increased its donation to 14, some of which have already arrived. The rest will follow by year’s end. Denmark pledged and delivered 19 jets first. Belgium is behind on its 30 promised aircraft, awaiting the introduction of U.S. F-35s. Belgium confirmed it will supply some retired F-16s for parts this year and begin delivering combat aircraft next year.
F-16s are of critical value to Ukraine. Due to a shortage of air defense missiles, Ukraine must increasingly use fighter jets to defend cities. Austrian military expert Tom Cooper noted that Ukrainian pilots often take off twice per night. The fighters can shoot down kamikaze drones and cruise missiles — though it’s risky. Ukraine lost its third F-16 during this period. The first was lost last year, likely to friendly fire. The second was shot down in April, probably by a Russian S-400. Both pilots were killed.
Due to the short supplies for the air defense systems, older MIM-23 Hawk missiles have proven effective against Russian drones and missiles.
Aircraft Losses
The latest F-16 loss occurred on Friday, May 16, at 3:30 a.m. The pilot was intercepting Russian cruise missiles, destroyed three, and engaged a fourth with his cannon when he reported an emergency. He steered the aircraft away from populated areas and ejected successfully. A rescue team found and evacuated him quickly. The cause is under investigation, but reports suggest debris from the missile he engaged might have hit the plane — similar incidents have previously destroyed Ukrainian MiG-29s and Su-27s.
Besides this F-16, Ukraine lost only the civilian aircraft during the period. Around May 23, Russia struck an agricultural airfield at Kyslychuvata in Dnipropetrovsk region with a ballistic missile, destroying three An-2 biplanes. This was a pointless attack — satellite images show the planes hadn’t moved since the war began and likely weren’t flight-capable.
The Military Watch site published images of Russian drone damage to a civilian aeroclub hangar at Zhytomyr airfield (120 km west of Kyiv) — an April 27, 2025, strike. Three or four propeller driven planes were destroyed, and five to six others damaged. Destroyed aircraft included Pipistrel Virus SW 100 (UR-HUNT), Flight Design CTSW (UR-GIK), and PZL-110 Koliber 150A (N150AQ). A Piper PA-32-260 (N56131) was most likely damaged beyond repair. Both U.S.-registered planes belonged to German company QualitAir and had been stuck in Ukraine.
Russia also suffered further losses besides the Su-30s downed by Magura drones. On Friday, May 23, around 2 p.m., a Mi-8 helicopter crashed near Naryshkino in Russia's Oryol region while on a mission to hunt Ukrainian drones. The three crew members — Major Andrey Silantyev, Captain Ruslan Zhvanko, and Lieutenant Yegor Buchnev perished.
Another loss was a Ka-52 helicopter, decommissioned and displayed at the gate of the Syzran Higher Air School in Samara. The helicopter had been damaged in combat and sent to Russia for repairs, but the damage was too severe. It now bears the number 85 and commemorates the school’s 85th anniversary.
Aftermath of the Russian drone strike on the civilian aeroclub hangar at Zhytomyr airfield, which took place on April 27, 2025.
This Russian Ka-52 helicopter was damaged beyond repair during the deployment in Ukraine and now serves as a monument at the gate of the Higher Aviation School in Syzran, Samara region, Russia.
Mirage 2000.
Ukrainian Black Hawk in action.
Still from a video showing a Mi-24 helicopter originally from the Czech Republic.