Russian Air Force Mi-8/17/171 Fleet Update

A Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashed in the Anninsky district of Voronezh Oblast, about 80 km from Voronezh, on 1 October 2026, killing all three crew members, according to The Insider and the Kyiv Independent. Russian Telegram channels, including one linked to the Aerospace Forces, said a Su-35 fighter engaged in repelling a large Ukrainian drone attack mistook the helicopter for a drone and shot it down; the helicopter had reportedly just taken off after a drone alert. Russian authorities have not confirmed the friendly-fire account, and Aviation Safety Network lists the crash as under unknown circumstances. The regional governor reported 62 drones downed over the region that day.