Ukrainian Drones Wipe Out Russian Mi-8, Damage Mi-35 at Taganrog Airbase

Ukrainian drones struck two Russian military helicopters at the Taganrog-Tsentralny airbase in Russia’s Rostov region, destroying a Mi-8 and damaging a Mi-35, according to satellite imagery analyzed by the open-source intelligence channel Absolutely Reliable.

The strike took place overnight on September 7, with post-strike satellite imagery showing damage at the locations where the two helicopters had been positioned. The airbase lies approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Ukraine’s internationally recognized border.

“Оne Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed, and one Mi-35 was damaged,” Absolutely Reliable analysts reported after examining the satellite imagery.

The Mi-8 is a Soviet-designed multipurpose helicopter widely used by the Russian military for troop and cargo transport, evacuation, and other battlefield missions. The Mi-35 is a modernized derivative of the Mi-24 attack helicopter designed for both combat and transport roles.

Taganrog-Tsentralny is actively used by the Russian military and also hosts the 325th Aircraft Repair Plant, which services military transport aircraft and components for the Il-76. Russia’s 708th Military Transport Aviation Regiment is also based at the facility.

The reported helicopter losses have not been independently confirmed by Russian authorities or Ukraine’s General Staff.

The Taganrog strike follows other recent Ukrainian attacks against Russian military aviation infrastructure. Earlier in September, Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted Ka-52 and Mi-28 attack helicopters, as well as a Mi-8-family helicopter, at Sochi International Airport.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense