The Armed Forces of Ukraine have released exclusive footage showing the destruction of a Russian Shahed-136 kamikaze drone by a Mi-8 helicopter. The video captures a coordinated operation involving two helicopters from the Ukrainian Army Aviation.
According to Ukrainian military officials, the Shahed-136 drone was directed away from a populated area before being neutralized to ensure civilian safety. The footage shows one of the Mi-8 helicopters striking and destroying the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). “The drone was safely diverted outside the city and then destroyed by one of our helicopters,” the military representatives stated.
The mission involved two Mi-8 helicopters, each assigned a specific role. One was designated as a targeting platform, while the other executed the strike. The targeting helicopter was equipped with an electro-optical system featuring FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) technology, enabling precise navigation and coordination throughout the operation.
⚡️🇺🇦Ukrainian helicopter Mi-8 shoots down 🇷🇺Russian kamikaze drone Shahed 136 pic.twitter.com/0AKLYCBjoQ
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) December 7, 2024
The operation showcased the Ukrainian Air Force’s ability to adapt to emerging threats, particularly those posed by the use of UAVs by Russian forces.
The Shahed-136, known for its maneuverability and precision strikes, is frequently deployed by Russia in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian forces continue to prioritize the protection of civilian areas from such aerial threats, often requiring complex coordination between ground and air units.
Source: Defence-blog
