Ukrainian USV captured taking down Russian helicopter

Late last year Ukraine shared that its drone shop or unmanned surface vehicle (USV) took down a Russian helicopter, releasing footage of what appears to be an ocean take down.

The footage, shared by the Associated Press was released on December 31, 2024 and shows the first successful ocean-to-air takedown of its kind.

Ukrainian drone in action

Ukraine’s Team 13 of the military intelligence division shared that it had carried out an attack off the coast of Crimea taking aim at two Russian Mi-8 helicopters that were trying to sink the now deadly surface drones.

Taking a look at the video, we can see the footage is taken from the scope of the drone itself, the camera tilting down towards the ocean showing the waves. The video also shows what looks to be bullets creating splashes all around the drones, from the Russian helicopters.

The footage then switches back to being locked onto the helicopter with missiles flying through the air towards the helicopter on the shot. Not long after flares coming out of the helicopter can be seen in an attempt to divert the missile away from itself.

A few seconds later the helicopter disappears with a big splash on the surface of the water, taking down the helicopter.

Ukraine has also shared intercepted radio communications from the helicopter, saying the following:

I’m going down! [This] is 482, I’m going down! Going to “Kimba [airbase]”. I’m shot down! Follow me, I’m shot! [This is] 482, I can continue my flight. There was a blast, I was hit. Engines are OK for now. Going to “Kimba [air base].

The shot was from the water! After that there was one more “flash”. I didn’t see, where exactly it was directed. First one was directed exactly at me. It exploded near me and I could feel it on the helicopter, some systems stopped working.

Magura V5 drone

The drone used in the successful takedown is believed to be Ukraine’s Magura V5. A drone primarily designed to take out other vessels in operation, but in this case was modified to carry two Sea Dragon missiles. This adaption has taken “away any sanctuary for air platforms over the sea,” said in the words of Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, a retired senior RAF commander.

Image via Associated Press