Kyiv: Ukraine military intelligence on Tuesday claimed that its naval drone had destroyed a Russian chopper and damaged another near Cape Tarkhankut over the Black Sea. As per Ukraine's GUR spy agency, a Magura V5 maritime drone equipped with missiles hit Russia's Mi-8 helicopter. The Ukrainian spy agency confirmed the development on Telegram. Ukraine's spy agency also released the video of the downing of a Russian Mi-8 helicopter.
It was the first time that a Ukrainian naval drone had downed a Russian helicopter. In the video, a helicopter could be seen through a thermal imager. It was shown as a bright object against the dark sky. After being hit by a missile fired from a Magura V5 naval drone, the Rusian chopped drowned into the Black Sea.
In the intercepted radio communications, the pilot could be heard saying, "482, I'm hit, going down!" reported Forbes.
Here's The Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsVGYeCfwSY
Meanwhile, as per the GUR, the second Russian chopper managed to reach the airfield after it was damaged in the Ukrainian air attack. The Ukrainian spy agency called it a historic strike.
Intercepted Radio Communications Shared By Defence Intelligence Of Ukraine:
"On December 31, 2024, soldiers of the special unit of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine “Group 13” for the first time in history hit an air target using a Magura V5 naval strike drone equipped with missile weapons," the GUR said in a press release.
"During the battle in the Black Sea near Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied Crimea, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed by the use of R-73 “SeeDragon” missiles. Another similar enemy helicopter was hit by fire and was able to reach its base airfield," it added.
After Russia started its full-fledged military operation against Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has scaled up its drone production.
