Defence Intelligence reveals details of Ukraine's historic destruction of two Russian helicopters on New Year's Eve

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (DIU) has revealed details of a historic air and sea battle in the Black Sea on the last day of 2024, when missile strikes from Magura V5 uncrewed surface vessels destroyed two Russian helicopters and damaged another one.

Source: Сommander of Group 13, special unit of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, known as Thirteenth, in interview with TSN.Week, Sunday analytical program, quoted by press service of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Quote from Thirteen: "We did not have to hide from aviation in this mission like we usually do. We were specifically looking for aerial targets. We were full of determination to confront the enemy.

We were spotted. We started working. The most we had right next to us was three helicopters at one point, despite the Su aircraft flying there."

Details: The Сommander of Group 13 says it was necessary to aim and launch a missile at the identified target as quickly as possible.

Quote from Thirteen: "A helicopter is fast enough. If you see it on the camera, it takes just a minute to get into a favourable position and strike."

More details: With the first strike, Group 13 operators managed to hit a Russian helicopter: the Russian crew did not even realise what had happened. They even shot off airborne traps and then fell into the Black Sea.

Quote from Thirteen: "Later, after some time, we received confirmation that the second one was downed. In total, we have two destroyed and one damaged [helicopters]."

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.
• On 2 January, DIU stated that, per updated information, not one but two Russian helicopters were destroyed by missiles from Magura V5 drones on 31 December, and another helicopter was damaged.

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