Ukrainian drone downs Russian military helicopter in Kursk attack

Ukrainian media reported on Friday that a drone belonging to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) shot down the second military helicopter this week in the Kursk region of Russia. Sources within the SBU have confirmed this information. It was most likely a Mi-8 helicopter. Here's what we know about this machine.

"The special service identified and attacked another target using an FPV (First Person View) drone on the territory of the Kursk People's Republic. The released footage shows the drone from the SBU's Special Operations Center aiming and hitting the flying helicopter," reported the interlocutor of the Ukrainska Pravda portal.

The Ukrainska Pravda portal published footage of the drone strike on its profile on platform X. "The God's Service of Ukraine (SBU) catches up with karma for another Russian helicopter," commented the editorial team. The video can be seen below:

On Wednesday, the SBU reported shooting down a Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter in the Kursk region. A drone was also used for the shootdown. It is worth noting that the Kursk region borders the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine. Last Tuesday, Ukrainian forces entered the territory of this Russian region and are maintaining their positions there. According to data from the American Institute of War Studies (ISW), Ukrainian units have already advanced 22 miles into Russian territory.

Military Service reports that the helicopter shot down by the SBU is most likely a Mi-8. According to the Ukrainian military portal, it was equipped with B-8B20A unguided air-to-air missiles, which may indicate that it was carrying out strike missions in the combat zone. The footage suggests that the helicopter was hit in the tail boom by an FPV strike drone with a fragmentation warhead.

Mi-8, also known as Hip according to NATO code, is a medium-range multipurpose helicopter that has become one of the most popular helicopters in the world since the 1960s. The MIL Design Bureau designed it, and its first flight took place in 1961. The Mi-8 is powered by two turbine engines, allowing it to reach a maximum cruising speed of 143 mph. The helicopter has a length of 59 feet, a height of 15.5 feet, and a main rotor span of 70 feet.

The Mi-8 is used for various tasks, from transporting soldiers and military equipment to medical evacuation and rescue missions. The helicopter can carry up to 24 soldiers or 12 stretchers with two medics. Thanks to its modular design, the Mi-8 can be equipped with various weapon systems, including machine guns, unguided rockets, and torpedoes. The Mi-8MTV-1 version is additionally equipped with modern electronic systems, such as weather radar and satellite navigation systems, making it more versatile and practical in operational activities.

The Mi-8 plays a crucial role in military operations for many countries worldwide and is valued for its reliability, versatility, and ability to operate under challenging conditions. This helicopter stands as a testament to the durability of Soviet aviation engineering designs and remains one of the most essential air transport means in the arsenals of many armies.