March 20, 2026
For the second time since the start of the russia-Ukraine war, drone operators from the Khyzhaky Vysot unit have shot down a helicopter, and for the first time ever, the target was a Ka-52 attack helicopter
Fighters from the Khyzhaky Vysot unit of the 59th Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine shot down an attack helicopter for the first time using an FPV drone. Thanks to the skill of the Defenders of Ukraine, russians lost a Ka-52 helicopter.
The corresponding video from the drone’s camera was posted online, with the unit’s name visible. Initially, they attempted to hit the first helicopter with an FPV drone, but it was too far away. Instead, they struck the second one as it approached.
https://t.me/supernova_plus/49701
There is also a video taken from a drone showing the crash site of the Ka-52.
https://t.me/exilenova_plus/17686
As for the location of the incident, it was geolocated as the area surrounding the village of Nadezhdinka in the Pokrovsk direction. Although this site lies more than five km from the front line, it is the exact crash site, as the helicopter went down farther along its path.
Soon after, it became clear that two russian crew members were killed.
After crash-landing, the crew exited the helicopter and ran for several hundred meters to the nearest trench. However, they were finished off by FPV drones. This is documented in a full video of the events, which was later published by the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Robert “Madyar” Brovdi.
Although the Ka-52 is equipped with ejection seats designed to ensure the crew’s safety, the helicopter was shot down at low altitude. For the ejection system to deploy, the crew must activate it manually, which requires time to assess the situation and react. After activation, the rotor blades must first be jettisoned before the ejection seat can deploy, which may explain why the crew did not use it.
This is the first known instance of an attack helicopter being shot down by an FPV drone, and the second known instance of helicopters being shot down by a drone in mid-air during the russia-Ukraine war.
The first incident in Ukraine occurred in September 2025, when a russian Mi-8 was shot down by an FPV drone. This was also carried out by the Khyzhaky Vysot unit. Meanwhile, a helicopter was shot down in mid-air using an FPV drone for the first time by guerrillas in Myanmar.
It is also worth noting that in early March, a russian Ka-27 helicopter that had landed on the Sivash platform was destroyed by an FPV drone launched from a maritime drone.
A great achievement. Even armored attack choppers are not safe from FPV drones. And,
“Soon after, it became clear that two russian crew members were killed.” is just as nice.
Killing the crew is probably worth more than the chopper.