Russia Mi-8/17/171 Fleet Update
Russian Air Force
| Date | April 29, 2026 |
| Country | Russia |
| Force | Russian Air Force |
| Conflict | Russia-Ukraine War |
| Location | Babky, Voronezh Oblast, Russia |
| Aircraft | Mi-8/17/171 (Mi-8 Hip) |
Description
A Russian Air Force Mi-17 transport helicopter was struck alongside an Mi-28 by Ukrainian long-range drones at a forward field landing strip near Babky, Voronezh Oblast, approximately 150 km from the front line. Crews from the 429th Achilles Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment, the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade, and the SBU Alpha Special Operations Centre targeted the engine compartments while the helicopter was grounded for refueling. At least one Russian maintenance specialist was killed in the strike. Damage assessment is still ongoing; the airframe's destruction has not been definitively confirmed by satellite analysis.