A Ukrainian first-person-view (FPV) drone reportedly downed a Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter over Russia's Kursk Oblast on August 6, according to a source in intelligence services who spoke to The Kyiv Independent on August 7.
The drone was operated by the Special Operations Center "A" of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and reportedly struck the helicopter's tail rotor, an operation the source described as "a unique special operation in military history."
Footage of the FPV drone striking the helicopter began circulating on social media on August 6.
The full video later published by Ukrainian activist Serhii Sternenko.
The video does not make it immediately clear whether the helicopter crashed following the drone strike.
According to Sternenko and other observers, this may be the first instance of an FPV drone successfully striking a helicopter in mid-air.
"The SBU once again demonstrated a high level of professionalism, creativity, and innovation in neutralizing the enemy. We still have many unexpected surprises for Russia," the source stated.
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify all the claims, which have not been officially acknowledged by the SBU or the Ukrainian military.
At least one similar but unconfirmed incident was reported on July 31. Forbes noted that, according to Russian military bloggers, a Ukrainian drone had destroyed a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter in the sky near occupied Donetsk.
The outlet referenced a photo purportedly showing the burning wreckage of the Mi-8 but did not provide visual evidence of the drone striking the aircraft.
Moscow claimed that Ukrainian forces crossed the border into Kursk Oblast on August 6, leading to clashes on Russian territory.
While Kyiv has largely refrained from commenting on the fighting in the area, the crowd-sourced monitoring website DeepState reported that a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter and at least two tanks were destroyed in the battle.
