Ukraine’s Drones Wipe Out Russian Mi-8 Helicopters and Radar in Crimea Strike; Video

Ukrainian special forces drones struck three Russian Mi-8 helicopters and disabled a long-range air defense radar in occupied Crimea, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense on September 21.

Satellite imagery confirmed the destruction of at least one helicopter.

The HUR’s special unit “Prymary” conducted a drone strike on a Russian airbase in Crimea. The operation targeted three Mi-8 helicopters, with at least one confirmed destroyed. In addition, a Ukrainian drone hit the antenna of a Russian 55Zh6U “Nebo-U” radar, putting it out of service.

The Main Intelligence Directorate released video footage of the operation and satellite images showing the aftermath.

The Mi-8 is a multipurpose transport helicopter widely used by the Russian military for logistics and troop movement. The destroyed radar, the 55Zh6U “Nebo-U,” is capable of detecting fighter-type targets at altitudes up to 20 kilometers and distances of up to 400 kilometers.

Although not directly linked to missile batteries, the radar is part of Russia’s layered air defense system, feeding targeting data to command posts that coordinate surface-to-air missile units.

Satellite imagery published by Ukrainian intelligence shows the wreckage of a Mi-8 destroyed by fire after a direct drone strike. Another image confirmed damage to the radar facility.

Earlier, on September 10, Ukrainian military intelligence struck a Russian Project MPSV07 multi-purpose support vessel near Novorossiysk, disabling one of only four ships of this class operated by the Black Sea Fleet.

Valued at around $60 million, the vessel was reportedly conducting signals intelligence when it was hit by a Ukrainian FPV drone, leaving it heavily damaged and forcing costly repairs.

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