Ukrainian drone pilots strike two helicopters inside Russia

Pilots from Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces attacked two Russian Mi-28 and Mi-17 helicopters with drones in Russia's Voronezh Oblast. The aircraft were at a site 150 kilometres from the front line.

Source: Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, on social media; Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces

Details: Ukrainian drone pilots discovered four Russian helicopters at the field landing site, where they were refuelling and undergoing between-flight inspection.

Quote: "The strike was carried out by pilots from combined crews of the 429th Achilles Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment and the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade on 29 April, in an operation in Voronezh Oblast, Russia, developed jointly with the Alpha Special Operations Centre. The strikes hit the rear central part of the engine compartment, bypassing the main rotor blades."

Mi-28 helicopter before the strike. Photo: Magyar

More details: In addition to damaging the helicopters, the attack killed one Russian serviceman who was servicing the aircraft, Brovdi said.

Hit on two helicopters in Russia. Photo: Magyar

The Unmanned Systems Forces added that the Mi-17 is a medium-lift transport helicopter used by Russian forces to transport personnel, deploy troops, evacuate wounded soldiers and carry out strike operations with suspended munitions. The estimated cost of one aircraft is at least US$15 million.

The Mi-28 is an attack helicopter designed to target armoured vehicles and personnel. Its armoured cockpit allows the crew to operate under heavy fire. Its estimated cost is around US$18 million.

Background: In March, a Russian Ka-52 helicopter was downed by a first-person view (FPV) drone operated by fighters from the Sky Predators unmanned systems battalion of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!