Ukraine’s special ops forces say they just scored a battlefield first: taking out a Russian helicopter with a ‘deep strike’ drone
In a groundbreaking development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces announced that they successfully downed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using a long-range “deep strike” drone. This event marks a significant milestone in modern warfare, as it is the first time a helicopter has been shot down mid-air by such a drone. The Ukrainian forces heralded this achievement as a game-changer, declaring, “now we hunt!” This statement underscores the evolving tactics in the war, where both sides increasingly rely on aerial capabilities while facing the growing threat posed by drones. Although the exact location of the incident was not disclosed, the implications of this strike are profound, highlighting the vulnerabilities of even well-established military assets like the Mi-8.
The Mi-8 helicopters, which have been a staple for both Russian and Ukrainian forces, serve multiple roles including troop transport, air assault missions, and logistical support. However, their operational effectiveness has been compromised by the introduction of advanced drone technology. Ukrainian forces have been leveraging deep strike drones to compensate for missile shortages and restrictions on long-range weaponry provided by Western allies. These drones have been instrumental in targeting Russian troops and weaponry, gathering intelligence, and now, as evidenced by this recent strike, engaging enemy aircraft. The use of helicopters in counter-drone operations has been critical for Ukraine, with military leaders noting that they can intercept a significant portion of incoming Russian drones, particularly under favorable weather conditions.
As both nations adapt to the changing landscape of aerial warfare, the vulnerability of helicopters like the Mi-8 becomes increasingly apparent. While they are essential for various missions, their slower speeds and susceptibility to drone strikes and advanced air defenses pose significant risks. Ukraine has previously showcased its ability to destroy Russian helicopters using innovative technology, such as a missile launched from a naval drone. This latest incident serves as a reminder of the rapidly changing dynamics in the battlefield, where traditional air power must now contend with the agility and precision of unmanned systems. As the conflict continues, the integration of drone warfare will likely redefine engagement strategies for both sides, making aerial dominance a crucial aspect of military operations.
Helicopters like the Soviet-era Mi-8 have been key for both Russia and Ukraine, but have been very vulnerable.
YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP via Getty Images
Ukraine’s special operations forces said they downed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter with a long-range strike drone.
They said the move was a first and that they’re “changing the rules of the game: now we hunt!”
Both sides need helicopters in this war, but they are increasingly vulnerable to drones and other threats.
Ukraine’s special operators said Saturday they took down a
Russian Mi-8 helicopter
with a long-range “deep strike” drone for the first time.
The update didn’t say where it happened, but it stressed the significance. They described the move as “changing the rules of the game: now we hunt!”
Video released by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces appears to be
footage from the drone
as it flew over an
enemy helicopter
, drawing steadily closer before the clip cuts off. Business Insider could not independently verify the SOF’s account of the engagement, and the video did not show the final moments for the helicopter.
You can watch the video here:
For the first time, a russian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down in mid-air by a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces “deep-strike” drone!
Every mission requires creativity — from the technical characteristics of the system to planning and pilot training.
Always Beyond!
pic.twitter.com/Tu33X9Qu1Y
— SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES OF UKRAINE (@SOF_UKR)
November 22, 2025
Deep strike drones
are uncrewed aerial systems that are designed to reach far into enemy territory, and they have become key for Ukraine’s fight back against
Russia’s invasion
as it faces shortages of missiles and also
restrictions on how it can use some of the long-range weapons
it has received from Western allies.
Ukraine’s
own defense industry
has developed new types of deep strike drones, along with a host of other drone types, that it has used to target Russian troops and weaponry, to gather intelligence, and to hit deep into Russia. Now, apparently, they’re taking on other missions.
Russian Mi-8 Soviet-era helicopters have often been tasked with hunting Ukrainian drones in this war. They also fly troop transport and air assault missions, cargo and logistical support flights, evacuation runs, and armed support missions.
Ukraine also flies the Mi-8 and uses its helicopters to hunt Russian drones. It is
forming a new helicopter unit
dedicated to stopping them.
Helicopters, in this war, have been used for air defense and
for low and fast missions
, including ones where they may fly just a few feet above the ground. The counter-drone mission for these helicopters has been critical for Ukraine as it battles huge barrages amid persistent
shortages in overall air defense capacity
.
Ukraine’s military commander in chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said in September that helicopters can shoot down up to 40% of the Russian drones in their coverage areas, depending on the weather.
Russia has used both Mi-8 helicopters and Ka-52 attack helicopters regularly in this war, but their use has come at a cost, as it has for Ukraine. These aircraft are slower than fighter jets and vulnerable to not just traditional air defenses, but also other threats. Ukraine previously claimed a strike against a Ka-52 Alligator with a
US-made rocket artillery system
.
New technology created during this war has also proved deadly for Russian helicopters. Ukraine said last year that it
destroyed a Russian Mi-8 with a missile that was launched from a naval drone
, a weapon Ukraine developed initially for hunting Russian warships. It said that it was also a battlefield first when it engaged the helicopter.
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