Double kill: Ukrainian intelligence confirms that its drones destroyed 2 Russian helicopters in Crimea on 31 December

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that, based on updated information, two Russian helicopters were destroyed by missiles fired from Magura V5 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) off the coast of Crimea on 31 December, with another helicopter damaged.

Source: DIU; an Ukrainska Pravda source in Ukraine's defence forces

Quote from DIU: "The record has been broken as two Russian helicopters were destroyed by Magura missiles in the Black Sea.

Based on the updated data, operatives from the Group 13 special forces unit destroyed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters using Magura V5 missile-equipped USVs during a successful operation in the Black Sea near temporarily occupied Crimea on 31 December 2024."

Details: Ukrainian intelligence noted that the crews of these Russian aircraft were also killed.

Another Russian helicopter was struck, though it managed to land after sustaining damage.

An Ukrainska Pravda source clarified that DIU initially had video footage confirming the destruction of one helicopter, with further confirmation from other sources later verifying the destruction of the second one.

Background:

• On 31 December, DIU announced that its operatives had destroyed an aerial target using a Magura V5 USV for the first time in the world.
• DIU also released a radio interception of Russian communications confirming that a Russian helicopter had been hit by a USV on 31 December.
• On 1 January, several pro-war Russian milbloggers reported that Russia lost two helicopters, not one.

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