Overview

• Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces reported on Sept. 29 that operators from the 59th Separate Assault Brigade carried out the strike near Kotliarivka.
• The Kyiv Independent cited commander Robert “Madyar” Brovdi saying the downed aircraft was a Mi-28N attack helicopter, with no independent verification provided.
• Ukrinform reported the military identified the target as a Mi-8 transport-combat helicopter and estimated its value at about $6 million.
• Brovdi published video of the attack on social media, providing the primary public evidence of the incident.
• The strike underscores Ukraine’s continued use of low-cost FPV drones against higher-value Russian aircraft, echoing a similar 2024 helicopter downing.