Russian Mi-8 Helicopter Shot Down Over Rostov Region

Russian air defense forces shot down their own Mi-8 helicopter over the village of Dudki in the Rostov region.

Sources at ASTRA reported that three crew members were killed.

The helicopter crashed into a local farmer’s barn. After the crash, it caught fire, and the barn was also burned down.

ASTRA contacted the farmer whose barn the helicopter crashed into.

He said that “everything was fine with him,” hung up the phone, and refused to comment further.

The village of Dudki is located a few kilometers (about 2.5 km) from the Millerovo military airfield.

Russian Telegram communities associated with the Russian Federation’s aviation industry confirmed the loss of the Mi-8. In particular, the Fighterbomber resource also published footage of the probable destruction of this helicopter on March 3.

According to their data, the Mi-8 was shot down in the AMTSh modification. Mi-8AMTSh helicopters are designed to transport personnel, equipment, and cargo (including on slings).

Helicopters of this modification can be used for rescue and landing operations, as well as for fire support and strike missions.

Earlier, the occupying forces and local residents reported in chat rooms, without providing details, that a Russian helicopter had been shot down during air defense operations against Ukrainian drones, ASTRA wrote. The governor remained silent about the downing of the helicopter and the death of three soldiers, noting that “no one was injured.”