Russian helicopter shot down by Ukrainian sea drone as first attack of its kind leaves Putin rocked
Vladimir Putin ‘risk’ outlined as Donald Trump left with ‘a lot to think about'
GB NEWS
Ukraine has achieved a historic first by successfully using a sea drone to destroy a Russian helicopter off the coast of occupied Crimea.
The strike, which took place near Cape Tarkhankut, saw a Magura V5 naval drone equipped with missiles take down one Mi-8 helicopter and damage another.
The unprecedented attack marks a significant advancement in Ukraine's maritime drone capabilities against Russian forces.
Footage shared by Ukraine's military intelligence service HUR captured the dramatic sea-based attack in action.
Vladimir Putin
REUTERS
The video showed the Magura V5 drone moving through the water as Russian aircraft manoeuvred overhead.
Russian forces attempted to neutralise the threat, with plumes of water visible where their fire struck the sea around the drone.
The footage then showed rockets being launched at the first helicopter, which was later seen crashing into the sea.
The second helicopter sustained damage but managed to return to a nearby airfield.
Ukraine's defence ministry celebrated the operation as a "historic strike" in a social media post.
A historic strike: @DI_Ukraine warriors destroyed an aerial target using a Magura V5 naval drone.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 31, 2024
A russian Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed using R-73 “SeeDragon” missiles near Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied Crimea.
Another enemy helicopter was damaged and returned to… pic.twitter.com/AMOiuVEzWe
"Defence Intelligence warriors destroyed an aerial target using a Magura V5 naval drone," the ministry announced.
The statement confirmed that "a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed using R-73 SeeDragon missiles near Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied Crimea."
It added that "another enemy helicopter was damaged and returned to the airfield."
The Magura drones have proven highly effective against Russia's Black Sea Fleet, forcing naval vessels to retreat from Crimean waters to Russian ports.
Different versions of these unmanned sea craft exist, including single-use attack vessels that self-destruct upon impact.
An image of the helicopter allegedly destroyed by Ukraine
UKRAINE
Some variants carry reusable missile launchers and conduct reconnaissance missions in the Black Sea, compensating for Ukraine's lack of a conventional navy.
The drones notably achieved a significant victory when they partially destroyed the Kerch Bridge connecting Crimea to mainland Russia.
Helicopters have emerged as Moscow's primary defence strategy against Ukrainian drone operations.
Russian forces regularly deploy aircraft to patrol the coastlines of occupied Crimea and southern Russia.
These aerial patrols aim to detect and intercept Ukrainian drone missions before they can reach their targets.
The use of helicopters for coastal surveillance has become a crucial part of Russia's counter-drone tactics in the region.
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