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Russia Reveals First-Ever Footage of Mi-28NM Helicopter Firing Cruise Missiles at Ukraine
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Russia has released the first known footage showing a Mi-28NM attack helicopter launching Dan-T cruise missiles, also known as S8000 Banderol, toward Ukraine, revealing a new launch platform for the relatively compact air-launched weapon.
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According to Defense Express on November 7, the footage shows a Russian Mi-28NM helicopter carrying two Dan-T cruise missiles mounted on its outer weapon stations. Although photographs of the helicopter equipped with these missiles had previously appeared online, the newly released video is the first publicly documented footage of an actual launch.
Launch of the "Dan-T" from a Mi-28NM. As stated, the missile range is 450 km (https://t.co/kiZh75PJu7). The helicopter can launch the munition from deep within its own territory (hundreds of kilometers from the line of contact), remaining outside the reach of most air defense… pic.twitter.com/VtUCaIEphi
— Andrei_bt (@AndreiBtvt) November 6, 2026
The Mi-28NM is a modernized Russian attack helicopter primarily designed to engage ground targets. Equipping it with Dan-T cruise missiles expands its potential role to longer-range strikes.
According to Defense Express, the helicopter could theoretically carry four Dan-T missiles, given its additional weapon stations and 2.3-ton payload capacity. However, the footage shows only two missiles, with no confirmation that a four-missile configuration has been tested.
The Dan-T, also known as the S8000 Banderol, is a compact cruise missile designed for airborne platforms, including drones. According to specifications presented by Russia at an aviation exhibition in Egypt, it has a claimed range of up to 450 kilometers (280 miles) and carries a 130-kilogram (287-pound) warhead.
This range allows Russia to strike Ukrainian cities without entering Ukrainian-controlled airspace. However, Defense Express noted that helicopters offer less favorable launch conditions than fixed-wing aircraft. Their lower speeds and altitudes can limit missile range, while the need to climb and accelerate before launch may make the Mi-28NM easier to detect.
Russia initially deployed S8000 Banderol cruise missiles on Orion reconnaissance and strike drones, mounting the weapons beneath their fuselages. The missiles were later adapted for Mi-28 attack helicopters, while reports have also emerged of their use from ground-based launchers in occupied Crimea.
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