Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter crew killed while repelling Russian drone attack on 30 June – photo
Four-member crew of a Mi-8 helicopter was killed while intercepting Russian drones on 30 June.
Source: Brody City Council on Facebook
Quote: "On 30 June 2026, while carrying out a combat mission to intercept enemy unmanned aerial vehicles, the crew of a Mi-8 helicopter was killed."
Details: Those killed were the crew commander, Captain Yurii Voron; navigator, Major Valentyn Mukshynov; onboard technician, Senior Lieutenant Bohdan Khmil; and aerial gunner, Junior Sergeant Mykhailo Deriaha.
The Poltava-based media outlet Zmist reported that the crew was killed near the village of Starytskivka in the Poltava district, Poltava Oblast.
The servicemen were carrying out a combat mission to defend the Ukrainian sky, providing cover for Ukraine's defence forces and taking part in intercepting Russian drones.
On 7 July, the Brody hromada in Lviv Oblast will bid farewell to the fallen servicemen. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]
"We extend our deepest condolences to the families, loved ones, brothers-in-arms and everyone who knew our defenders. Their courage, professionalism and self-sacrifice will forever remain in the memory of a grateful nation," the Brody City Council said.
Background: On the night of 26-27 June, contact was lost with a MiG-29 fighter jet of Ukraine's Air Force as it was carrying out a combat mission in Poltava Oblast.
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