Russia Gave Its Mi-28NM New Anti-Drone Defenses—A Ukrainian FPV Still Took It Down

A Ukrainian air-defense FPV drone shot down a modernized Russian Mi-28NM attack helicopter in midair, Ukraine’s 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade said after releasing footage of the interception on October 14.

The strike was carried out by pilots from the brigade’s “Pribultsi” air-defense unit, despite indications that newer Mi-28NM helicopters are being fitted with additional systems designed to protect them from drone attacks.

“An anti-aircraft FPV drone intercepted the aircraft in midair, leaving no chance for either the machine or the crew,” the unit wrote.

The Mi-28NM is the most advanced production version of Russia’s Mi-28 attack helicopter family and represents a substantial modernization of the earlier Mi-28N.

The newer aircraft received improved sensors, weapons, avionics, and defensive systems after the baseline version demonstrated significant limitations during Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Recent Mi-28NMs have also appeared with previously unseen sensors marked with the abbreviation NVCh, referring to microwave frequencies in the 300 MHz to 300 GHz range. The devices have been observed on the helicopter’s wingtips, around the nose of the cockpit, and toward the tail.

Their exact function has not been publicly confirmed, but the positioning has fueled speculation that Russia is adding another layer of protection against Ukrainian FPV drones. The equipment may represent an upgrade to the Mi-28NM’s existing L-370 Vitebsk defensive suite or an entirely new anti-drone system.

Russia has separately developed the Multik electronic warfare system, produced by the Gradient research institute specifically to protect helicopters from FPV attacks. However, the equipment recently seen on Mi-28NMs does not visually match that system.

The Mi-28NM also carries significantly more capable weapons than earlier variants. Among them is the Izdeliye 305 light multipurpose guided missile, which Russian sources claim can engage targets at ranges of up to 25 kilometers.

Earlier, reports emerged that a Russian Mi-8 military transport helicopter that crashed in the Voronezh region was reportedly shot down by a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in a friendly-fire incident.

The incident occurred as Russian forces were responding to a large-scale drone attack. The Su-35 crew allegedly misidentified the Mi-8 helicopter as a hostile unmanned aerial vehicle and opened fire.

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