An operation by Ukraine’s 59th Assault Brigade underscores the vulnerability of Russian helicopters to small armed drones.<br /><br />On the morning of 29 September 2025, an FPV drone from Ukraine’s 59th Separate Assault Brigade downed a Russian Armed Forces Mi-8 transport helicopter. The attack took place as the aircraft was flying at low altitude, together with a Ka-52, in an effort to evade Ukrainian air defence systems.<br /><br />The strike was conducted by the 1st “High Predators” Unmanned Aerial Systems Battalion, with reconnaissance drones guiding the trajectory.<br /><br />Russian Telegram channels confirmed the helicopter had been struck and forced to make an emergency landing, with the pilots subsequently evacuated. The confirmation further amplified the significance of the action, widely shared across Ukrainian and Russian military outlets.<br /><br />The incident demonstrates the increasing effectiveness of FPV drones against combat aircraft, particularly at low altitude. First-person operation enables precise manoeuvres and targeted strikes against vulnerable components such as engines and rotors.<br /><br />Similar incidents have occurred in other conflicts. In Myanmar, rebels claimed to have used drones to strike a Mi-17 helicopter, underscoring the global trend of employing unmanned systems against aerial assets.<br /><br />Sources and images: Telegram / kvbarmy | Telegram / ZOV_Voevoda
