Ukrainian drones destroyed Ka-52, Mi-8 helicopters in deep strike on Russia
Ukrainian defense forces demolished two Russian helicopters (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian defense forces destroyed two Russian helicopters at an airfield in Russia's Oryol region using attack drones. The strike reportedly took out a multi-purpose Mi-8 and an attack Ka-52, according to Militarnyi information and analytical center.
Read also: Ukrainian drones kill enemy faster than Russia mobilizes — Armed Forces Chief
The media reports that the attack took place on the evening of February 20, 2026.
The target was the Pugachyovka airfield, located near the village of the same name in Russia's Oryol region. The site is a small dirt strip owned by the local DOSAAF aeroclub.
Photo: Pugachyovka airfield targeted by Ukrainian drones
Photo: Pugachyovka airfield targeted by Ukrainian drones
According to available information, Russian forces used this site as an operational airfield for a consolidated helicopter unit. The primary mission of these aircraft was to intercept Ukrainian long-range drones.
The strikes confirmed the destruction of two aircraft:
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Mi-8 multi-purpose helicopter (tail number 53), which belonged to the 319th Separate Helicopter Regiment from Primorsky Krai
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Ka-52 attack helicopter "Alligator" (tail number 18), which belonged to the 16th Army Aviation Brigade from the Rostov region.
Deep strikes on Russia
Ukrainian defense forces systematically target Russian aviation and logistics both in temporarily occupied territories and deep inside Russia.
Recently, the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) reported a notable achievement, destroying three Russian helicopters in a single night.
In another successful operation, USF eliminated a significant number of enemy vehicles in just 48 hours.
Alongside strikes on aviation, Ukrainian drones have accurately hit a fuel depot in Russia, disrupting enemy fuel logistics. Key enemy facilities were also destroyed near Ukraine's Mariupol and Donetsk cities.
At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to effectively target advanced enemy systems, recently showcasing the destruction of a Russian equivalent of the HIMARS rocket system.
