- Ukrainian footage shows the moment when a Russian helicopter was shot down and caught fire.
- A Mi-24 combat helicopter was shot down about 40km north of Kyiv, Bellingcat reports.
- According to the report, the helicopter was attacked by FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS.
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The footage shows how a Russian combat helicopter was shot down by a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) in the Kiev region of Ukraine.
In the video, the helicopter immediately catches fire and falls to the ground after hitting the target with a weapon.
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 5, 2022
The frames were shared on twitter Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on Saturday morning. “This is how the Russian occupiers die,” the department’s signature says. “This time by helicopter!”
It was also distributed on Facebook by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to MailOnline, the helicopter in the footage looks like a Mi-24 combat helicopter.
Image of a Mi-24 Hind combat helicopter. Ministry of Defense of Russia
Up to eight paratroopers, in addition to the crew of two, can fire small arms through the openings in the side windows of these helicopters. Mi-24 Hind combat helicopters have been in use since 1970.
Apparently, the helicopter was shot down by FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS, according to the military and civil aviation website The Aviationist. These man-portable air defense systems, developed in the United States, can operate as surface-to-air missiles with infrared homing.
Several countries have said they are supplying Stinger missiles to Ukrainian forces during the Russian invasion, including Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States.
Insider reported that President Joe Biden sent Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine as part of a $350 million military aid package.
It’s not immediately clear when the footage was taken, but according to Bellingcat investigative journalism geolocationThe video was filmed in the Kiev region of Ukraine.
According to the GPS coordinates received by Bellingcat, this is the site of the helicopter crash. Google Maps
According to GPS coordinates confirmed by Bellingcat, the plane crashed 25 miles north of downtown Kyiv.