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Russian Mi-28 helicopters use 30mm cannons to intercept FPV drones

Bottom line

Rare footage shows Russian Mi-28 helicopter crews using 30mm 2A42 autocannons to destroy Ukrainian FP-1 and MICH kamikaze drones, demonstrating a kinetic counter-UAS tactic.

Why it matters

Helicopter operators in contested airspace must account for kinetic drone threats that can be engaged by onboard autocannons, potentially altering flight profiles and defensive postures.

Multiple sources confirm that Russian Mi-28 helicopter crews are actively engaging and destroying Ukrainian FPV and loitering munitions (specifically FP-1 and MICH types) using their 30mm 2A42 autocannons. This tactic allows helicopters to defend themselves against low-altitude unmanned threats without expending expensive air-to-air missiles, though it requires precise gunnery skills and close proximity to the threat.

Evidence — 2 independent origins

  • Беспилотники (дроны, БПЛА, UAV)source Borigin t.me
    Original text (excerpt)

    Достаточно редкие кадры перехватов экипажем Ми-28 ВС РФ вражеских дронов-камикадзе FP-1 и MICH при помощи 30-мм автоматической пушки 2А42. Осведомитель

  • Intel Slavasource Dorigin t.me
    Original text (excerpt)

    🇷🇺 🇺🇦 ⚡️ — Footage shows a Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) Mi-28 crew engaging and destroying Ukrainian drones. @IntelSlava

NamedMi-28FP-1MICH2A42Topicsdronesinterceptors

Related findings

← Latest findings · All findings from September 2026

History · version 1 · first published · last substantive update

Cite this finding
Robot War (2026). Russian Mi-28 helicopters use 30mm cannons to intercept FPV drones. Hetzner OSINT, 3 September 2026. https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-09-03--russian-mi-28-helicopters-use-30mm-cannons-to-intercept-fpv-drones/

@misc{robotwar-2026-09-03--russian-mi-28-helicopters-use-30mm-cannons-to-intercept-fpv-drones,
  title = {Russian Mi-28 helicopters use 30mm cannons to intercept FPV drones},
  author = {Robot War},
  howpublished = {\url{https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-09-03--russian-mi-28-helicopters-use-30mm-cannons-to-intercept-fpv-drones/}},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Hetzner OSINT finding B2}
}

Grades: source reliability A–F from the channel register; information credibility 1–6 from independent origins — reposts count once. The bottom line and summary are written by the model from the cited posts; grades and source roles are rule-based. Methodology 2026-10-15.v6 · Corrections · JSON · RSS · API performance