$15m Russian helicopter destroyed by Ukrainian drone

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A $15m Russian helicopter was destroyed by a small Ukrainian drone 50km inside of Russia, Ukrainian and Russian sources said.

The attack on the 12-ton Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Russian-occupied Donetsk potentially marked the first time a Ukrainian drone has taken down a military helicopter.

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The attack occurred about 50km from the front line, an unprecedented distance for such a strike.

The explosive-carrying two-pound drone rammed the helicopter when it was near the ground, causing it to crash and burn, Russian military bloggers wrote.

“Caught at the moment of take-off,” a Russian blogger posted on social media, sharing photos and videos of the burning helicopter.

Such attacks are exceptionally difficult as the helicopters fly faster than 150 miles per hour at altitudes exceeding thousands of feet.

Observers confirmed the downing of the helicopter, which was performing attack, transport, and medical evacuation missions.

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