Ukrainian drones destroy Russian Mi-8 helicopter in Luhansk region
Photo: Russian Mi-8 helicopter (Getty Images)
Fighters from Ukraine’s Third Army Corps destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in the Luhansk region. Strikes by two Hornet drones left the enemy aircraft with no chance of survival, according to the Third Army Corps.
Ukrainian Defense Forces destroy helicopter
During a raid targeting enemy logistics, a Hornet kamikaze drone crew from the SKYFOM platoon of the Unmanned Systems Battalion spotted a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. A drone was launched to intercept it.
"The enemy was forced to change its flight path," the statement said.
The helicopter’s cruising speed exceeded that of the attack drones. However, as soon as the Russian aircraft landed, Ukrainian fighters struck it in the area of its fuel tanks.
Оперативно з Луганщини! Бійці Третьої штурмової знищили російський гелікоптер Мі-8!
— Третій армійський корпус (@ab3army) October 30, 2026
Під час рейду на ворожу логістику, розрахунок БпЛА-камікадзе «Хорнет» зі взводу ударних крил «SKYFOM» Батальйону безпілотних систем виявив ворожий Мі-8 й вилетів йому напереріз. Противник був… pic.twitter.com/TD2rHhKCW6
"The second Hornet successfully finished off the target," the Third Assault Brigade said.
As a result, the military helicopter was completely destroyed by fire. The Russian army uses Mi-8 helicopters to transport personnel and cargo, evacuate troops, and provide fire support.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that Ukrainian soldiers from the Prybultsi anti-aircraft missile unit had shot down a modernized Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter using an FPV drone.
In addition, in July, fighters from Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces struck a Russian Mi-28 Night Hunter attack helicopter.
