The Ukrainian defense forces reportedly captured two Russian military helicopters — one Mil Mi-8 and one Kamov Ka-52 Alligator type — destroyed during an attack drone operation in the Oryol region of the Russian Federation.
The information was published by the Telegram channel called “Spy Dossier” (@dosye_shpiona), which was also picked up by the Ukrainian portal Militarnyi. According to the report, the attacks took place on the night of Friday, February 20, 2026.
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Pugachsovka airport may have been the target
According to published data, the aircraft were stationed at the Pugachsovka airport, near the village of Pugachivka in the Oryol region. It is a small, unpaved airstrip belonging to the Oryol Flying Club under the authority of DOSAAF (Voluntary Society for the Support of the Russian Army, Air Force and Navy).
There are indications that the site was used as an operational airfield for a combined helicopter detachment believed to be deployed to intercept long-range Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.
According to published data:
The Mi-8 helicopter, page number 53, belonged to the 319th Independent Helicopter Regiment, which is based in Chernigovka, in the Primorsky Territory, in the Far East of Russia.
The Ka-52 Alligator combat helicopter, page number 18, was assigned to the 16th Army Air Force Brigade, based in Zernograd, Rostov Oblast.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet officially confirmed the alleged destruction of the aircraft.
Operational impact
The Mi-8 is widely used for troop transport, medical evacuation and logistics tasks, while the Ka-52 is one of the main combat helicopters of the Russian military, used for close air support and anti-tank operations.
If the destruction is confirmed, the simultaneous loss on Russian territory would be another example of the expansion of the range of Ukrainian drone operations, which already reach logistics targets and air bases beyond the front lines.
Source and images: Militarnyi | Telegram @dosye_shpiona | Wikimedia. The content is created with the help of artificial intelligence and verified by the editors.
