Recent reports indicate a significant escalation in aerial engagements over Eastern Europe. A Russian Mi-24 helicopter was observed pursuing a Ukrainian kamikaze drone in the Leningrad region, highlighting the establishment of special Russian Aerospace Forces units tasked with UAV interception. Concurrently, a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter was reportedly downed in the Zaporizhzhia region near Robotyne, with various sources attributing the strike to an ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). Initial reports suggested no KIA among the crew, only injuries, although later updates contradicted this, indicating the crew had no survivors. Further complicating the aerial dynamics, footage emerged of a Ukrainian helicopter being ambushed and destroyed by Russian MANPADS (Man-Portable Air-Defense Systems) near Rabotino, despite earlier claims of an ATGM hit.
Mi-24 "Crocodile" attack helicopter flies along the shore and near the crash site of the Russian ship "Caesar Kunikov". https://t.co/vvqazWoz0v
The moment a Ukrainian Mi-8 was ambushed and shot down near Rabotino https://t.co/8FJvotBUnJ
Footage of Ukrainian helicopter being shot down with Russian MANPADS. Earlier reports claimed it was hit by ATGM. https://t.co/W6QrqfMnDb https://t.co/skIrKqbFs0
🇷🇺🇺🇦‼️🚨Ukrainian MI-8 was downed in the Zaporozhye region, the crew had no chance. Russian units claim to have hit it with an ATGM, what would be a tricky shot. https://t.co/MNLoXwSKVi
There are reports that a Ukrainian military helicopter (most likely Mil Mi-8 or Mil Mi-24) was shot down by the Russians near Robotyne on the Zaporizhzhia front. According to available information, there are no KIA among the crew, only wounded. Russian channels claimed that… https://t.co/SNVLu9foBH
Russian sources claim Ukrainian Mi-8/24 helicopter was destroyed with an ATGM strike in Zaporizhzhia direction. https://t.co/LzHWeotx6h
A Mi-24 helicopter follows a Ukrainian kamikaze drone over the Leningrad region, likely waiting for an uninhabited area to fire its cannon https://t.co/g2OsVedRib
Russian Mi-24 helicopter chasing Ukrainian kamikaze UAV in the Leningrad region. Note that Russian Aerospace Forces established special helicopter units designed to hunt UAVs. https://t.co/hkqijNJAY8