Inside attack: How Ukraine managed to bring down Russian helicopter with FPV drone

Defense Express reported the information.

Soldiers from Ukraine’s 59th Separate Assault Brigade’s Unmanned Systems carried out the operation in the Pokrovsk direction, according to the report.

Initial footage released by Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Force, showed the drone striking the helicopter, which then fell to the ground engulfed in flames.

There was initial debate over the helicopter model. While some suggested it was a Mi-28 attack helicopter, images later confirmed the destroyed aircraft as a Mi-8 military transport helicopter.

A full video from the Ukrainian unit captured the helicopter’s attack and the FPV drone’s flight. Defense Express noted that the drone was a standard FPV model, not a specialized anti-aircraft type.

Despite Russian claims that the helicopter crew escaped without casualties, the report indicated this is unlikely. A second drone captured images of the wreckage on the ground.

“This was achieved thanks to the coordinated interaction of reconnaissance, headquarters, and pilots,” the “Predators of the Heights” unit said in a statement.

The use of FPV drones against Russian helicopters is a recent development. Ukrainian forces first experimented with FPV attacks in September 2023, and in August 2024, drones reportedly caused damage to helicopters, including a Mi-28 and a Mi-8.

Defense Express also noted that similar tactics have been employed by partisans in Myanmar, who downed a Mi-17 helicopter in May 2025 while it was attempting to deploy troops.

On Monday, September 29, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian helicopter using an FPV drone.