Ukraine claims it struck and shot down a Russian Mi-28N attack helicopter using a Shrike 10 FPV drone during an operation carried out in the Belgorod region, inside Russian territory.
The action took place on July 15 near the settlement of Vyazove and was reportedly conducted by operators from the 427th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade “Rarog.” The commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, released footage showing the moment the small drone approached the Russian aircraft.
In the video published by Ukrainian forces, the FPV drone can be seen flying close to the helicopter’s altitude before climbing and striking the upper section of the aircraft. Ukrainian military authorities stated that the Mi-28 crashed after the impact, although the released footage does not clearly show the wreckage on the ground.
For this reason, the footage visually confirms that the helicopter was hit by the drone, but it does not yet allow independent verification of the extent of the damage or the aircraft’s definitive loss. So far, Russian authorities have not publicly presented a detailed account of the incident.
According to Ukrainian manufacturer SkyFall, the device used was a Shrike 10, an FPV model developed for attack missions. The company estimates that each unit costs less than US$400. Meanwhile, the value of a Mi-28 can range from approximately US$18 million to US$19 million, depending on the version and configuration.
Known in Russia as the “Night Hunter” and designated Havoc by NATO, the Mi-28 is an attack helicopter equipped with a 30-millimeter automatic cannon, rockets, and several types of missiles. The aircraft was primarily designed to engage armored vehicles, ground positions, and other battlefield targets.
Intercepting an aircraft of this size with an FPV drone represents a considerably greater challenge than attacking a ground target. The operator must track an object moving at high speed that can constantly change direction, speed, and altitude.
The operation becomes even more complex when it takes place beyond the front line, where communications range may be limited and electronic warfare systems can interfere with control and image transmission. In this scenario, the window available to locate, pursue, and reach the helicopter is usually very short.
If the destruction of the Mi-28 is confirmed, the incident will reinforce an important shift in aerial warfare: relatively simple and low-cost drones are no longer being used only against ground targets and are beginning to pose a threat to helicopters operating at low altitude.
SkyFall states that this was the second time a drone from the Shrike family had struck a Russian helicopter during the conflict. In September 2025, a similar model was reportedly used against a Mi-8, also while it was in flight.
Оператори Сил безпілотних систем уразили гелікоптер Мі-28 у Білгородській області / Unmanned Systems Forces Operators Strike Mi-28 Helicopter in Belgorod oblast https://t.co/vH0TVuJ2DB pic.twitter.com/G0RF4MGHVg
— Генеральний штаб ЗСУ (@GeneralStaffUA) July 15, 2026
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Source: Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, the 427th “Rarog” Brigade, SkyFall, and Militarnyi. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
