Rob Schoof (@robschoof.bsky.social)

Ukraine unveils 'Marichka' undersea kamikaze drone with 1,000-km range and 1-ton payload Ukraine has showcased a new undersea drone called “Marichka,” which could pose a serious threat to the Crimean Bridge. The Marichka kamikaze undersea drone is nearing completion. The company Akvatekhnik presented the system in an interview with the Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi . According to the developers, the vehicle has already undergone a series of successful tests confirming its stated capabilities. It has not yet been used in combat. The drone’s range reaches up to 1,000 kilometers, and its payload exceeds 1,000 kilograms, enabling strikes against large targets. Its top speed is about 10 km/h. Marichka is equipped with an inertial navigation system that supports stealth and long-distance movement without external signals. Its hull materials and slow-speed motors make the drone low-signature and nearly silent underwater. A key feature is the ability to halt at a preset location and remain stationary and undetected for extended periods. In this mode, the drone can stay on standby for days or weeks, then continue toward its target at any moment. The type and power of the explosive charge can be tailored to the mission. The drone is designed to hit port infrastructure, bridges, and large surface and amphibious vessels. Developers emphasize that all key systems have been tested and performed reliably, indicating readiness for real-world use. “It will reach the Crimean Bridge very quietly and invisibly… It can stop at point A, remain unseen for a while, and then move on at any moment to prosecute the target… The payload is about 1,000 kg; there’s a lot of interesting kit we can choose from. This is a kamikaze designed to hit very large targets: port infrastructure, big bridges, ships… We’re working with the military to understand which targets need to be struck. And we’re refining it for those targets,” a company representative said. Ukraine has previously demonstrated the effectiveness of undersea drones in combat. In December 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted a unique special operation in the port of Novorossiysk, during which Sub Sea Baby undersea drones hit a Russian Project 636.3 “Varshavyanka” submarine. https://www.uawire.org/ukraine-unveils-marichka-undersea-kamikaze-drone-with-1-000-km-range-and-1-ton-payload