Ukraine Forces Declare First Deep Strike Drone Kill of Mi-8 Helicopter

[ad_1] Ukraine's particular operators stated Saturday they took down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter with a long-range "deep strike" drone for the primary time.

The replace did not say the place it occurred, however it pressured the importance. They described the transfer as "altering the foundations of the sport: now we hunt!"

Video launched by Ukraine’s Particular Operations Forces seems to be footage from the drone because it flew over an enemy helicopter , drawing steadily nearer earlier than the clip cuts off. Enterprise Insider couldn't independently confirm the SOF’s account of the engagement, and the video didn't present the ultimate moments for the helicopter.

You possibly can watch the video right here:

For the primary time, a russian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down in mid-air by a Ukrainian Particular Operations Forces “deep-strike” drone!

Each mission requires creativity — from the technical traits of the system to planning and pilot coaching.

At all times Past! pic.twitter.com/Tu33X9Qu1Y

— SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF UKRAINE (@SOF_UKR) November 22, 2025 Deep strike drones are uncrewed aerial methods which can be designed to succeed in far into enemy territory, they usually have grow to be key for Ukraine's battle again in opposition to Russia's invasion because it faces shortages of missiles and in addition restrictions on how it can use some of the long-range weapons it has acquired from Western allies.

Ukraine's own defense industry has developed new kinds of deep strike drones, together with a number of different drone varieties, that it has used to focus on Russian troops and weaponry, to assemble intelligence, and to hit deep into Russia. Now, apparently, they're taking up different missions.

Russian Mi-8 Soviet-era helicopters have typically been tasked with looking Ukrainian drones on this warfare. In addition they fly troop transport and air assault missions, cargo and logistical assist flights, evacuation runs, and armed assist missions.

Ukraine additionally flies the Mi-8 and makes use of its helicopters to hunt Russian drones. It's forming a new helicopter unit devoted to stopping them.

Helicopters, on this warfare, have been used for air protection and for low and fast missions , together with ones the place they might fly only a few toes above the bottom. The counter-drone mission for these helicopters has been essential for Ukraine because it battles enormous barrages amid persistent shortages in overall air defense capacity .

Ukraine's army commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated in September that helicopters can shoot down as much as 40% of the Russian drones of their protection areas, relying on the climate.

Russia has used each Mi-8 helicopters and Ka-52 assault helicopters repeatedly on this warfare, however their use has come at a value, because it has for Ukraine. These plane are slower than fighter jets and susceptible to not simply conventional air defenses, but in addition different threats. Ukraine beforehand claimed a strike in opposition to a Ka-52 Alligator with a US-made rocket artillery system .

New expertise created throughout this warfare has additionally proved lethal for Russian helicopters. Ukraine stated final yr that it destroyed a Russian Mi-8 with a missile that was launched from a naval drone , a weapon Ukraine developed initially for looking Russian warships. It stated that it was additionally a battlefield first when it engaged the helicopter.

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