Ukraine Uses FPV Drone to Shoot Down $10 Million Russian Helicopter

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' unmanned systems forces shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter in the Donetsk region using an FPV drone.

The Gaze reports on it, referring to Deutsche Welle.

The operation was carried out by pilots of the 59th Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under the command of Robert Brovdi, known by the call sign “Madyar.” The downed helicopter was located in the area of the village of Kotlyarivka.

Initially, it was reported that a Mi-28 combat helicopter had been destroyed, but after further reconnaissance, it became clear that it was a Mi-8 transport and combat helicopter, worth more than $10 million.

This is not the first successful use of FPV drones by the Ukrainian military. The first such attack was carried out on August 6, 2024, when an FPV drone shot down a Mi-8 over the Kursk region of the Russian Federation with the participation of the Security Service of Ukraine special forces.

Meanwhile, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that during a counteroffensive operation in the Dobropillia direction, about 175 square kilometers of territory were liberated, and another 195 square kilometers were cleared of sabotage groups.

According to him, some Russian units were surrounded, and the total losses of the Russian Federation in this direction amounted to 3,185 people, of which 1,769 were irretrievable. In addition, the enemy lost 969 units of weapons and military equipment.

The Gaze earlier reported that on September 29, Ukrainian forces carried out a missile strike on the Elektrodetal plant in Karachev, Bryansk region, a key facility of Russia’s military-industrial complex that produces electrical connectors for missiles, aircraft, tanks, and other combat systems. 

Four missiles were launched from over 240 kilometers away, causing explosions and a fire, while the impact of the strike is still being assessed.