Operation of the 59th Ukrainian attack brigade shows vulnerability of Russian helicopters opposite small armed drones
On the morning of September 29, 2025, an FPV drone of the 59th Independent attack brigade of Ukraine shot a MI-8 transport helicopter of the Russian armed forces. The attack took place while the device flew together with a KA-52 at low height, in an attempt to avoid the Ukrainian air defense systems.
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The operation was performed by the 1st battalion unmanned aviation systems, known as the “Height preachers”, With the support of reconnaissance drones that adjust the attack process.
Russian confirmation
According to Russian telegram channels, the helicopter was hit and forced into an emergency landing, in which the pilots from the area were evacuated. The confirmation underlines the impact of the action, which was widely shared on both Ukrainian and Russian military platforms.
The role of drones on the battlefield
The incident emphasizes the increasing effectiveness of FPV drones against combat aircraft, especially at a low altitude. Control in First-Person View enables operators to perform precise maneuvers and to touch vulnerable parts such as engines and rotors.
Similar cases have already been registered in other conflicts. In Myanmar, rebels reported the use of drones to hit an MI-17 helicopter, which reinforces the global trend from the use of unmanned systems against aircraft.
Sources and images: Telegram @kvbarmy | Telegram @zov_voevoda | Wikimedia. This content was made with the help of AI and checked by the editors.
