- Category
- War in Ukraine
Four Ukrainian Mi-8 Helicopter Crew Members Killed While Intercepting Russian Drones over Poltava Region
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko]( "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")
Four crew members of a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter were killed on June 30, while executing a mission to intercept Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the Poltava region during Russia’s aerial attack on Ukraine.
According to local authorities from the Brody Town Council on July 6, the helicopter went down near the village of Starytskivka in the Poltava District.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The defense crew was actively covering units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and tracking hostile drones to secure the airspace when the incident occurred.
The Brody Town Council identified the fallen crew members as crew commander Captain Yurii Voron, pilot-navigator Major Valentyn Mukshynov, flight technician Senior Lieutenant Bohdan Khmil, and aerial gunner Junior Sergeant Mykhailo Deryaha.
The local administration extended condolences to the community and fellow servicemen, stating: "On June 30, 2026, during a combat mission to intercept enemy unmanned aerial vehicles, the crew of the Mi-8 helicopter was killed."
A public memorial and farewell ceremony for the four servicemen will be held on July 7 in the Brody community.
-6dd8bf48061ab70b8c6115ee4feee85d.jpg)
Reflecting on their service, local officials shared: "We sincerely condole with the families, loved ones, brothers-in-arms, and everyone who knew our defenders. Their courage, professionalism, and self-sacrifice will forever remain in the memory of a grateful people."
This incident follows an earlier statement from the Ukrainian Air Force regarding another air defense loss in the same general area. On the night of June 27, contact was completely lost with a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet that was conducting a separate combat mission over the Poltava region.
On June 16, 2026, a Ukrainian Su-24M frontline bomber belonging to the 7th Tactical Aviation Brigade crashed around 7:00 PM while performing a combat mission in the Khmelnytskyi region.
Both crew members, identified as Major Bohdan Zaharulko and Senior Lieutenant Bohdan Babenko, were killed in the crash.
Discuss this article:
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
