Volunteers work on weapons
Footage shows Ukraine’s new underwater drone
September 29, 2023, 10:22 p.m
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So far, Kiev has attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet with surface drones and cruise missiles. But that could change in the future. A group of volunteers is currently working on an underwater drone. New photos show a prototype of the Marichka in the water.
For some time now, a group of Ukrainian engineers has been working on an underwater drone called Marichka. Video footage published on Tuesday shows a prototype of the new weapon for the first time. You can see how the torpedo-shaped drone is lowered into the water for testing purposes. Men in wetsuits then sit on the underwater vehicle. Where and when the pictures were taken is unclear.
The Marichka is being developed by the volunteer group Ammo Ukraine, according to its own information, without a military order and only with the help of donations. According to official information, the underwater drone is six meters long and has a range of around 1,000 kilometers. This would allow the Marichka to reach any point in the Black Sea. The drone is said to be suitable for both reconnaissance and attack missions on ships and maritime infrastructure. The unit price is the equivalent of around 410,000 euros.
Further technical data is currently unknown. The Ukrainian news site Censor.net However, it was reported that the Marichka would later carry a 200 kilogram warhead, which suggests that it was used as a kamikaze drone.
The Marichka could add a new dimension to Ukraine’s attacks in the Black Sea. So far, Kiev has attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet with surface drones and cruise missiles. Ammo Ukraine Incidentally, it is not the only volunteer force that independently develops new weapons. The group presented at the beginning of the year Brave 1 the smaller underwater drone Toloka before. It is not known what stage of development both drones are in.