Ukraine’s “Ursula”: The World’s Smallest Drone Carrier

Ukraine's new drone bot “Ursula”, only a meter long, may look like a toy, but it is capable of launching an FPV drone for reconnaissance or attack, effectively acting as the world's smallest aircraft carrier. 

The Gaze writes on this referring to Forbes. 

Ukraine has previously successfully attacked Russians in coastal areas with FPV drones from larger unmanned aerial vehicle system (UAVs). The smaller and more maneuverable Ursula is capable of crossing rivers and swamps, expanding the area of attack. 

The multi-purpose vessel Ursula can be equipped with sensors to patrol rivers or a small explosive charge to attack enemy boats. It is noted that it can also carry a drone. However, the report suggests that the project is still at an early stage. Similar unmanned boats are already in use, and flying drones from them is a common practice. 

In particular, this refers to the American Black Widow 2 unmanned boats that the Ukrainian Armed Forces received in 2025. This vessel is slightly over a meter long and can reach speeds of up to 25 mph and was created in response to a request from the Ukrainian military for operations on the Dnipro islands.  

Unlike larger U.S. drones that operate at sea, Ursula is focused on riverine warfare, allowing FPV drones to attack enemy positions many miles from the water without being seen, opening up new opportunities. 

The Gaze has previously reported on the use of anti-drone rifle bullets, an innovative tactic used in Ukraine's military operations to combat low-cost Russian unmanned aerial vehicles.