Ukraine shoot down Russia’s $15 million attack helicopter with this $450 drone
The attack was carried out by the 59th Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which specializes in unmanned aerial vehicles.
Ukraine has once again dealt a major blow to the strategic capabilities of Russian forces. The 59th Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down a Russian Mi-28 helicopter valued at about $15.2 million.
The brigade, which specializes in unmanned aerial systems, used a $468 FPV drone to carry out the strike. Its commander, Robert Brovdi, confirmed that the attack took place in the town of Kotliarivka in Donetsk, and that the Mi-28 was downed instantly.
This event adds to Ukraine’s recent attacks on Russian refineries—a move aimed at targeting oil, a key element of the Russian economy—and reflects Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to shift the dynamics of the conflict. As for the Mi-28: it is a helicopter with a five-blade main rotor and operates around the clock.
❗️BREAKING: Russian Mi-28 military helicopter was shot down by FPV drone. As reported by Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, Russian helicopter was shot down by 59th Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces (@usf_army). pic.twitter.com/Sn4s5T9G0p
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) September 29, 2025
It is purely an offensive aircraft, designed to engage all types of military vehicles using its 30 mm cannon mounted under the nose. It can also carry both guided and unguided missiles as well as rockets. It has been in service since 2009.
Ukraine’s use of drones during the invasion is nothing new. Last June, they launched drones over the Moscow region—36 fixed-wing drones over five Russian regions.
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Speaking about using such technology to counter Russian forces, Ukraine’s current ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerij Zaluzhny, said: “Without new technologies, drones, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, chips, factories, we run the risk of being crushed by massive attacks and drone strikes.”
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