Ukraine strikes deep inside Russia, destroys four helicopters

In a rare cross-border strike, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces, in coordination with the Main Directorate of Intelligence and Rocket and Artillery Forces, successfully destroyed four Russian helicopters in Belgorod region, according to an official statement.

The strike eliminated two Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters and two Mi-8 Hip transport helicopters. Ukrainian forces carried out the operation using GMLRS M30A2 precision-guided rockets with tungsten ball warheads, reportedly launched from HIMARS platforms.

CORRECTION: Story was corrected on April 02 to note that the footage, posted days after the attack, reveals visible damage to Mi-28NM and Mi-8AMTSh helicopters.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

The Russian aircraft were stationed at what Ukrainian officials described as a concealed “jump site” — a makeshift forward base set up for rapid helicopter deployment or surprise assaults on Ukrainian positions.

“In another coordinated strike, the enemy’s illusion of safety deep behind the front lines was shattered,” Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces said in a statement. “Once again, we have shown that nothing is out of reach for our units. The work continues.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZTl7k0OvjI&t=40s

The strike reportedly took place in recent days and was captured on drone video, which shows precision strikes hitting the parked helicopters. Ukrainian forces emphasized that the location was carefully surveilled and targeted in a deliberate effort to disrupt Russian rotary-wing operations near the border.

The use of GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) munitions — known for their accuracy and destructive payload — underscores Ukraine’s continuing reliance on advanced Western-provided artillery to reach strategic targets behind Russian lines.

As of now, Russian authorities have not confirmed the loss of aircraft in the Belgorod region.

Readers who wish to follow our weekly coverage can subscribe to the Weekly Defense Roundup.

If you wish to report a grammatical or factual error in this article, please let us know by using the online form.

Executive Editor

Support The Defence Blog

Independent reporting takes resources. Join us on Patreon.

Become a patron

More Like This

U.S. Guard soldiers flew HIMARS cross-country and simulated deep strikes

Michigan National Guard soldiers loaded a HIMARS rocket artillery launcher onto a C-130J transport aircraft in Michigan and flew it more than 3,200 km...

US restarts production of armored vehicle to send 65 to Ukraine

A factory in Louisiana is producing armored vehicles for Ukraine for the first time, as Textron Systems announced that full vehicle builds of the...

Ukraine faces 8x more jet-powered Russian drones than last year

Russia has sharply accelerated its use of jet-powered attack drones against Ukraine in 2026, with its forces already launching 1,400 such weapons since January,...

Sweden’s fighters launched twice Friday to shadow Russian warplanes

Swedish fighter jets launched twice in a single Friday to intercept Russian military aircraft operating near Swedish airspace over the Baltic Sea, in what...

Ukrainian crews are rebuilding Abrams tank to fight today’s war

A Ukrainian Abrams tank named "Lucifer," operating with the tank battalion of the 160th Separate Mechanized Brigade, has been photographed with an extensive set...