Ukrainian defense company MAC HUB, in collaboration with the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense, has developed a new strategy to combat the Russian "shadow fleet." At the heart of this tactic are upgraded Katran sea drones, which are now used not only for strikes but also for detaining vessels carrying sanctioned cargo. This was reported by RBK-Ukraine, citing Business Insider.

From Destruction to Arrest: A New Concept

The commander of one of the GUR units, callsign "Ninth," revealed details of the new operation. Ukrainian unmanned Katran boats are preparing to carry out tasks to identify, forcibly escort, and detain commercial vessels transporting sanctioned goods through the Black Sea.

The key change lies in abandoning the immediate destruction of violating ships. Instead, a mechanism of legal arrest is applied, followed by the confiscation of valuable resources—oil or grain—for the state. As "Ninth" explains, this approach is more rational and humane: it allows for the seizure of assets rather than sending them to the bottom of the sea.

"If you encounter such a system, it will mean that you are detained. Calmly proceed to a designated port. Everyone will remain safe. The vessel and its cargo will be confiscated in accordance with international law," the military officer describes the mechanism of operation.

How the Detention System Works

After receiving a warning of arrest, the captain and crew of a commercial vessel are obliged to change course without resistance and follow to the port indicated by the Ukrainian side. This procedure is accompanied by a group of unmanned Katran boats.

In case of ignoring orders or open resistance, the drones switch to forceful methods. The main technical advantage of the system is the operation of various drone modifications as a single integrated team, allowing complex tasks to be solved simultaneously:

  • Some models of unmanned boats carry out full fire and optical control over the ship's deck.
  • Simultaneously, other platforms track the movement of the crew.
  • Specialized system components block and control the airspace over the area where the detention is taking place.

In the event of active resistance from the crew or escort ships, Katran drones deploy their combat potential, capable of sending a ship to the bottom in minutes.

Technological Breakthrough and Global Consequences

The successful testing and implementation of such tactical concepts in the conditions of the Black Sea has become a serious technological breakthrough for the Ukrainian defense industry. As early as spring 2025, the Minister of Digital Transformation and acting Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov noted the unique characteristics of the Katran lineup, pointing out the ability of these platforms to hit targets on water, land, and in the air simultaneously.

The problem of illegal transportation and the operation of "shadow fleets" is critical not only for Ukraine or the Black Sea region, but for many countries of the world. If the method developed by MAC HUB and GUR proves to be highly effective in practice, it could create a global precedent, radically change the rules of commercial shipping, and make international maritime logistics more transparent and safe.