Ukrainian Naval Drone Makes History by Downing Russian Helicopter Over Black Sea

For the first time, a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone equipped with repurposed R-73 missiles successfully destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Crimea.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Magura V5 naval drone destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in occupied Crimea on December 31, 2024.
The strike marks the first recorded instance of a naval drone downing an aerial target, signaling a significant evolution in drone warfare.
The Magura V5, an advanced unmanned surface vessel, was adapted to carry R-73 SeeDragon missiles, originally designed as air-to-air weapons, for precision targeting against aerial threats.
A second Russian helicopter was also damaged in the attack but managed to return to its base, showcasing the growing threat posed by Ukraine's innovative drone technology.
This development comes as part of Ukraine's broader strategy to utilize drones for multi-role missions in the Black Sea, including earlier successes against Russian naval vessels.