Ukraine‘s Special Ops Take Down Two Russian Mi-8 Helicopters in Black Sea Strike
In a significant military operation, Ukraine’s Special Forces have struck a major blow to Russia’s aerial capabilities in the Black Sea. The latest update from Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces reveals that on December 31, a unit from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR MO), code-named "Group 13", carried out a precision attack using armed seaborne drones.
The operation resulted in the destruction of two Russian Mi-8 helicopters near the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula. Preliminary reports indicate that the enemy aircraft’s crews also perished in the attack. Moreover, a third Russian helicopter was severely damaged and forced to land.
This isn’t the first time Ukrainian forces have targeted Russian helicopters using unmanned aerial vehicles. Earlier in the day, a similar operation led to the downing of a Russian Mi-8 helicopter, marking the first-ever use of an armed sea drone, the Magura V5, in combat. The success of this operation further demonstrates the prowess of Ukrainian Special Forces and the effectiveness of their evolving tactics.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian defenders have shot down a total of 330 Russian helicopters, including the latest casualties.
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