Ukraine claims to have destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter with a long-range drone for the first time. Ukrainian army special forces celebrate the operation.
Ukrainian army special forces say they have shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter with a long-range drone for the first time. The operation was celebrated with a message: “We changed the rules of the game: now we hunt!”, he said. According to Business Insider, this drone is specifically designed to penetrate deep into enemy territory.
A video released shows the drone approaching the helicopter before the footage ends. Whether the attack actually destroyed the Mi-8 could not be independently verified.
New technology is being used
Long-range drones are playing an increasingly important role in the war between Ukraine and Russia. They are used not only to attack enemy targets, but also for reconnaissance and other missions. Ukraine has developed its own drone technology in recent months to make up for missile shortages and restrictions on Western arms supplies.
Mi-8: A versatile but vulnerable helicopter
The Mi-8 is a Soviet multi-role helicopter used by Russia and Ukraine. It is used, among other things, to transport troops, for evacuation and to support air attacks. In the Ukrainian war it was also used to defend against drones. According to Business Insider, Ukrainian helicopters can shoot down up to 40 percent of Russian drones in their area of operations – depending on weather conditions.
Drone warfare is on the rise
Russia is also increasingly relying on helicopters such as the Mi-8 and Ka-52 to combat Ukrainian drones. However, both sides suffered heavy losses in aircraft. Last year, Ukraine destroyed a Russian Mi-8 with a missile fired from a maritime drone. Even so, Kyiv talks about technological breakthroughs.
