Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense Intelligence Agency announced on Tuesday (December 31) that Ukrainian reconnaissance troops successfully destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using the Magura V5 unmanned naval vessel equipped with missiles, while another helicopter was also damaged. This marks the first time Ukraine has used an unmanned naval vessel to shoot down a Russian helicopter.
The Magura V5 is a domestically developed unmanned naval vessel in Ukraine, armed with missile weapons, designed for maritime reconnaissance and attack missions. This operation demonstrated Ukraine’s advancement in unmanned combat technology and its innovative tactics in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
According to Ukraine’s intelligence agency GUR on Telegram, during a battle near Cape Tarkhankut on the western coast of Crimea on Tuesday, a missile-equipped Magura V5 unmanned naval vessel hit a Russian Mi-8 helicopter.
GUR stated that this is the first time a Ukrainian naval unmanned vessel has shot down an airborne target.
According to Reuters, Russia has not commented on the downed helicopter. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Telegram that their Black Sea Fleet had destroyed eight unmanned drone boats.
Renowned Russian military blogger Voenny Osvedomitel also reported that a Ukrainian naval unmanned vessel shot down a Russian helicopter. GUR mentioned that the second Russian helicopter, damaged during the attack, successfully reached the airport.
In the footage released by GUR, a helicopter flying over the water surface can be seen being hit by several shells and crashing down.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has increased drone production and developed naval attack unmanned vessels. Ukrainian forces have been using unmanned naval vessels to strike Russian warships and facilities on the Crimean Peninsula. Crimea was annexed by Moscow in 2014. Ukraine stated that naval unmanned vessels and missile attacks have caused serious damage to Russia’s main naval base in Sevastopol, forcing their Black Sea Fleet to retreat.
(This article references reports from Reuters)