Ukrainian military intelligence announced that a drone belonging to Ukraine’s navy struck and downed a Russian helicopter in the Black Sea while damaging another.
Ukraine’s GUR intelligence agency stated that the incident occurred on Tuesday near Cape Tarkhankut on Crimea’s western coast. According to the report, a Magura V5 maritime drone equipped with missiles successfully hit a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. This marks the first recorded instance of a Ukrainian navy drone shooting down an aerial target.
No Official Statement from Russia
While Moscow has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that the Black Sea Fleet destroyed eight drones. The downing of the helicopter by a Ukrainian maritime drone was also reported by prominent Russian military blogger Voenny Osvedomitel.
GUR: Second Helicopter Damaged
Ukraine’s GUR agency stated that a second Russian helicopter was also damaged in the attack but managed to land at an airfield. Footage released by GUR shows the helicopter being struck while flying over the water and subsequently crashing. However, this video has yet to be independently verified.
Ukraine’s Drone Strategy Reshaping the Black Sea Dynamics
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has significantly increased its drone production. Maritime assault drones, in particular, have become an effective weapon against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Targets in Crimea and Strategic Success
The Ukrainian military frequently uses maritime drones to attack Russian warships and military facilities in Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. The Kyiv administration claims these strikes have caused substantial damage to the major naval base in Sevastopol, forcing Russia to relocate nearly all its warships to other ports.
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