UAV of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine escapes from Russian helicopters over Crimea
1 September, 2023 A Russian Mi-28N pursues and shoots at a Ukrainian UAV. Crimea, August 2023. Frame from the video of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
A Ukrainian drone escaped from Russian helicopters and an airplane over the temporarily occupied Crimea. On Friday, September 1, the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published a video of a Russian Mi-28N attack helicopter trying to shoot down a Ukrainian drone. It is noted that the UAVs of the Defence Intelligence are increasingly remaining "unscathed not only after encounters with Russian air defense, but also in direct collisions with enemy aircraft."
The video portrays a Ukrainian drone flying near Cape Tarkhankut reportedly being chased by two Russian attack helicopters and one Russian airplane. "Despite the continuous fire, our UAV left the battlefield unharmed and successfully returned to the base," the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine notes.
The footage shows that the Russian invaders engaged at least one Mi-28N attack helicopter to pursue the Ukrainian drone.
A Russian Mi-28N helicopter chases and shoots at a Ukrainian UAV. Crimea, August 2023. Frame from a video by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine
They fired from its onboard 30 mm autocannon in an attempt to shoot down the UAV.
On the morning of August 23, an explosion occurred near the village of Olenivka on Cape Tarkhankut, a temporarily occupied peninsula, destroying the elements of the Russian S-400 Triumf air defense system. The video of the destruction of the enemy air defense system and the powerful fire that accompanied it was published by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.
The footage was captured by a Ukrainian drone.
Mi-28N
The Mi-28N is a modified version of the Mi-28 helicopter developed by the Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant. The modified helicopter retains all the specifications of the Mi-28, but is able to operate not only during the day but also at night due to the integration of night vision devices.
Mi-28N of the Russian Aerospace Forces from the 55th Helicopter Regiment in Korenovsk. Photo credits: Russian media
The helicopter is armed with a standard 30 mm 2A42 autocannon located in the nose of the fuselage.
It also has four hardpoints under the wings, which can accommodate various weapons: blocks of S-8 80mm and S-13 122mm unguided rockets.
The Mi-28N can also use Shturm-V and Ataka-V anti-tank guided missiles in two blocks of 8 each.
Smoke from a crashed Russian Mi-28 helicopter, May 12, 2023
As previously reported, on May 12, 2023, a Russian Mi-28N attack helicopter crashed in the Dzhankoi district of the temporarily occupied Crimea as a result of a failed flight.