As sea drones force Russia to retreat, Ukraine examines ways to launch more complex attacks

Описание: (8 Dec 2025)
FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4622607

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Undisclosed location, Ukraine - 6 December 2025
1. Wide shot of Magura-7 sea drone speeding on the water
2. SOUNDBITE (English voice-over) Call sign “13th”, commander of unit “13”, Defense Intelligence of Ukraine: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT3-7++
++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: ORIGINAL UKRAINIAN VOICE OF “13th” HAS BEEN OVERLAID BY VOICE OVER IN ENGLISH TO CONCEAL IDENTITY++
"Today we’ve likely reached a plateau. We are effectively limiting the enemy’s movements, but those dramatic, high-profile strikes we saw earlier, haven’t happened for quite some time. That’s because the enemy has adapted. We are working on many fronts to change this situation and create a turning point. For now, I can say this: we haven't lost effectiveness; we’ve simply reached the point where we’re holding the enemy in check."
3. Wide shot of Magura-7 sea drone speeding on the water
4. Wide shot of Magura-5 speeding past the camera ++SPLIT SCREEN WITH SHOT5++
5. Wide shot of Commander of Unit 13 who goes by the call-sign “13th”, remotely operating the Magura drone
6. Close-up of hands on the control desk ++SPLIT SCREEN WITH SHOT7++
7. Magura-7 sea drone rocket launchers rising, with circular camera movement
8. Magura-7 moving
9. Circular shot of Magura-7 floating on the water
10. SOUNDBITE (English, voice-over) Call sign “13th”, commander of unit “13”, Defense Intelligence of Ukraine: ++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON SHOT8 AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT9++
++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: ORIGINAL UKRAINIAN VOICE OF “13th” HAS BEEN OVERLAID BY VOICE OVER IN ENGLISH TO CONCEAL IDENTITY++
“The enemy is entrenched. Ships barely operate. They go out 20 nautical miles (approximately 25 miles), launch ballistic missiles, and return. They constantly hide. And in a way, that’s also a result of our unit. Because you can imagine the cost of maintaining a fleet that cannot operate at sea.”
11. Wide of Magura-7 moving through the waves
STORYLINE:
The commander of sea-drone operations for Ukraine’s military intelligence agency says more complex strikes against Russian forces are expected next year, after Kyiv’s uncrewed fleet succeeded in curbing the movements of Russia’s once-dominant Black Sea navy.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the head of the specialized maritime drone unit, Group 13, said Ukraine’s attacks have forced Russia to adapt, limiting opportunities for major Black Sea strikes seen earlier in the war.

“Today, we’ve likely reached a plateau,” said the officer, who is identified only by the call sign “13th” under Ukrainian military protocol.

“We are effectively limiting the enemy’s movements, but those dramatic, high-profile strikes we saw earlier haven’t happened for quite some time. That’s because the enemy has adapted.”

Last month, Ukrainian officials said sea-attack drones were used in strikes against vessels in Russia’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.

The commander declined to comment on those operations.

The officer said Russian naval vessels “barely operate,” often venturing only up to 25 miles (40 kilometers) from port to fire missiles before retreating.

“They constantly hide. And in a way, that’s also a result of our unit — because you can imagine the cost of maintaining a fleet that cannot operate at sea.”

The officer spoke in uniform, his face covered and eyes obscured by tinted glasses.

For security reasons, the intelligence agency asked that the location and other details of the interview not be disclosed.
















Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...