Ukraine Ready to Deploy New Marichka Underwater Drone for Combat Naval Strikes.

Ukraine has brought its Marichka autonomous underwater drone to combat readiness after more than a year of wartime testing and refinement. The development signals Ukraine’s intent to expand long-range strike options against Russian naval forces and coastal infrastructure well beyond the front line.

Ukraine has quietly brought a new class of naval weapon closer to operational use, with defense sources now assessing the Marichka autonomous underwater vehicle as ready for combat deployment. Developed under wartime conditions and refined through months of testing, the system reflects a broader Ukrainian effort to push maritime strike operations below the surface, complicating Russian naval defense planning across the Black Sea and adjacent coastal regions.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

During an exclusive interview, a Ukrainian defense industry representative presents the Marichka autonomous underwater drone, revealing details of the long-range system designed for strike, reconnaissance, and covert maritime operations against high-value naval targets. (Picture source: Social Network)

Measuring approximately six meters in length, Marichka is designed as a multi-purpose autonomous underwater vehicle capable of both offensive and non-kinetic missions. Its most striking feature is its reported payload capacity of up to one ton of explosives, a figure that places it well beyond the scale of conventional naval mines or earlier improvised underwater systems. With an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometers and a cruising speed of roughly 10 kilometers per hour, the platform is optimized for long-duration missions that prioritize stealth and endurance over speed.

Ukrainian engineers involved in the program describe Marichka as a modular system rather than a single-use weapon. While its primary role is underwater strike, the vehicle can be configured for cargo delivery or reconnaissance, enabling it to support a broad spectrum of naval and joint operations. In a strike configuration, Marichka is intended to engage high-value maritime targets, including landing ships, patrol boats, missile corvettes, submarines at anchor, and fixed coastal objectives such as bridge pylons or port infrastructure. The emphasis on the underwater approach significantly complicates detection and interception by traditional naval defenses.

The first successful test of the system was publicly acknowledged in late August 2023, coinciding with Ukraine’s Independence Day, a timing widely interpreted by analysts as a strategic signal. Days later, released test footage showed the vehicle operating autonomously, validating navigation, control, and propulsion systems under real conditions. Since then, further refinement has reportedly focused on guidance accuracy, mission reliability, and survivability in contested waters.

From an operational standpoint, Marichka fits into Ukraine’s broader asymmetric naval strategy in the Black Sea. Lacking a traditional blue-water fleet, Kyiv has increasingly relied on unmanned surface and subsurface systems to challenge Russian naval dominance. Underwater drones such as Marichka add a new layer to this approach, threatening adversary vessels and infrastructure in areas previously considered relatively secure due to distance or depth.

Military analysts note that a one-ton underwater explosive, if accurately delivered, could inflict catastrophic damage on large surface combatants or logistics vessels, particularly in ports or choke points. Even the credible threat of such systems may force changes in enemy naval posture, requiring increased anti-submarine patrols, port defenses, and resource-intensive countermeasures.

Beyond combat applications, the cargo and reconnaissance variants suggest potential dual-use value. In military terms, Marichka could covertly deliver supplies to isolated positions or conduct seabed surveillance of enemy ports and sea lines of communication. In a civilian or post-conflict context, similar platforms could be adapted for underwater inspection or recovery tasks, highlighting the technological depth Ukrainian developers have achieved despite wartime constraints.

While official details on production numbers and deployment timelines remain closely guarded, Marichka's readiness signals a significant evolution in Ukraine’s unmanned warfare capabilities. As underwater drones transition from experimental projects to operational weapons, Marichka stands out as a system designed not just to harass but to decisively strike, reshaping the risk balance in contested maritime environments.

From the perspective of an Army Recognition defense analyst, the real operational value of Marichka lies in the tactical and psychological pressure it places on Russian naval forces. In the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where Moscow maintains superiority in conventional surface combatants and submarines, a long-range autonomous underwater drone armed with a massive explosive payload forces a costly and complex defensive recalibration. Russian ships, ports, and coastal facilities must now contend with slow, low-acoustic-signature threats operating below the surface, a domain where detection is inherently complex, and countermeasures remain limited. Tactically, Marichka enables Ukraine to conduct precision strikes, delayed attacks, and deep-reach operations without exposing personnel or scarce naval assets. Strategically, it exemplifies how unmanned underwater systems can erode traditional naval dominance, constrain freedom of maneuver, and impose persistent uncertainty on an adversary operating in contested littoral and near-coastal waters.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.