Ukraine's 'devil's chariots' take down 19 drones in air defense push
Ukrainians have been utilizing the Mi-24/35 helicopters they received in a highly innovative manner—as drone hunters. Reports indicate that a single unit has managed at least 19 drone shootdowns. Here's how they achieved this remarkable feat.
According to journalist Łukasz Michalik from Wirtualna Polska, Ukrainians are deploying Mi-24 helicopters from Poland and Mi-35 helicopters from the Czech Republic as drone hunters. The primary reason for this adaptation is the lack of suitable anti-tank weapons for these machines, coupled with the urgent need to counter swarms of Shahed drones approaching from multiple directions.
Helicopters, moving at speeds exceeding 186 mph, are much more effective intervention units than soldiers in pickups. They can oversee a vast area. This capability, in conjunction with F-16 aircraft and Mirage 2000, significantly bolsters Ukraine's defense against drone and cruise missile attacks.
Mi-24/35 helicopters - "devil's chariots" in an unusual role
The Mi-24 helicopters have been mass-produced since 1973 and have undergone numerous modifications. One such modification is the Mi-24V variant, known as the Mi-35 for export purposes.
During their debut in Afghanistan, the Mi-24 helicopters earned nicknames like "flying tank" and "devil's chariot" from the mujahideen, owing to their excellent protection and powerful armament. These helicopters have an exceptionally high mass for attack helicopters, weighing 12.7 tons. In comparison, the AH-1Z Viper has a maximum weight of 9.3 tons.
Notably, the Mi-24 helicopter's crew is seated in a "titanium bathtub," which provides effective protection against small arms fire or shrapnel. This feature is handy when combating Shahed drones, as shrapnel from a drone's explosion can pose a threat even at distances of hundreds of yards.
WKM YaKB-12.7 - the main anti-drone weapon of the Mi-24/35
Depending on the version, the helicopter is equipped with a four-barrel large-caliber machine gun, the YaKB-12.7, featuring a 12.7×108 mm caliber and a firing rate of 4-5 thousand rounds per minute, or a twin-barrel GSh-30-2 cannon with a 30 mm caliber. It can also carry various weapons on four pylons.
In Ukraine, these helicopters are often observed with S-8 unguided rocket pods, bombs, or anti-tank missiles. Currently, the primary armament is the machine gun or cannon, which has an effective range of several hundred yards.
