The Russian Black Sea Fleet is training to use FPV drones from a helicopter to counter Ukrainian naval drones.

The Russian Telegram channel 13 TACTICAL published the video of the training.

The Russians use a Mi-8/17 helicopter as an airborne command post to control external pilots of FPV drones.

According to the helicopter’s interior, it can be assumed that it is not a combat aircraft but a specialized one.

The drone is dropped from the side door of the Mi-8/17, with the external pilot standing in front of the open door to ensure communication stability.

The effectiveness of such tactics remains unknown, but it can be assumed that it may be more effective and safe than the use of onboard weapons.

In this way, the Russian Black Sea Fleet is trying to develop an effective way to counter Ukrainian surface drones for various purposes.

Russian helicopters against Ukrainian naval drones

Russians are constantly using naval aviation to protect their fleet and coastal facilities from Ukrainian unmanned vessels, and not all of them return from seemingly safe missions.

In June, Russia announced the loss of its own Ka-29 multipurpose helicopter during the Ukrainian combined drone attack.

According to preliminary estimates of the Russians, the shooting down of their own helicopter allegedly happened due to the error of the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile system operators, who confused the helicopter with the Ukrainian drone.

As previously reported, Ukraine uses naval drones with R-73 missiles.

The Russians released a photo of the drone taken from a helicopter, which showed that one missile was missing. According to them, the drone managed to fire it at a Russian Mi-8 helicopter, but missed.