In a groundbreaking development, Ukraine’s military intelligence has claimed a major victory in the Black Sea, announcing that one of its uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) successfully shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Crimea. This marks the first documented case of a drone boat using an adapted missile to take down an aircraft.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence revealed that the engagement took place near Cape Tarkhankut in Russian-occupied Crimea, with a Magura V5 USV firing a heat-seeking R-73 missile, typically used in air-to-air combat. Footage reportedly shows the helicopter deploying flares in an attempt to dodge the missile, but it eventually explodes, confirming the aircraft’s destruction.
Russian military sources have corroborated the incident, though independent verification is still pending. Another helicopter was reportedly damaged but made it back to base.
Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, noted that while this marked the first successful use of the R-73 in such a manner, previous attempts had failed. The missile, dubbed the “Sea Dragon,” highlights Ukraine’s resourcefulness in countering Russian air dominance in the region.
This development introduces a new risk for Russian helicopters, typically deployed against Ukrainian USVs, as the expanded missile capabilities of these drone boats now threaten their safety. Ukraine, already well-stocked with R-73 missiles, has once again demonstrated its ability to adapt rapidly to evolving warfare dynamics.
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