Drones dominate frontline activity in Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine, shaping combat operations. A small kamikaze unmanned aircraft launched from Ukrainian positions carried explosives and an onboard camera transmitting real-time footage. The FPV drone encountered and struck a Russian Mi-8 military helicopter, which immediately crashed in flames. Ukrainian forces used the attack to reinforce defensive positions amid diplomatic pressure on Kyiv to negotiate with Russia. The pilot, 27-year-old Baltika, had attempted similar strikes previously and deployed the FPV primarily to scout targets, spotting a Ka-52 first but later engaging the slower Mi-8. Multiple surveillance drones recorded the strike, producing viral footage and widespread congratulations.
"A small kamikaze unmanned aircraft takes off from Ukrainian positions, equipped not only with an explosive charge but also with a camera that allows its flight path to be observed in real time. Shortly afterward, it encounters a Russian Mi-8 military helicopter, which the Ukrainian pilot manages to hit. Almost immediately, the enemy aircraft plummets to the ground in a fiery mess."
"We had already tried several times. The last time was just a few days before. That morning, we launched the FPV [first-person view] drone, not specifically to shoot down the helicopter, but to search for any other targets. At first, we saw a Ka-52 [another type of Russian helicopter], but its speed was too much, and our FPV couldn't reach it. As we turned around, we came across the Mi-8. Very, very lucky [...]"
Read at english.elpais.com
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