How Ukrainian Helicopters Hunt Down Dozens of Iranian Drones in a Single Sortie.

The Role of Shahed Drones in the Conflict

According to TSN.ua: Russian forces have increasingly turned to Shahed drones to strike Ukrainian positions. These unmanned aerial vehicles, specifically the Shahed-136 model, are asymmetrical weapons supplied by Iran. Ukraine has built a multi-layered air defense system to counter these threats, but its military also employs unconventional methods—including army aviation helicopters that can shoot down more than a dozen drones during one mission.

Ukrainian Tactics in Action

Although helicopters are primarily tasked with supporting ground troops, Ukrainian pilots now engage in daily drone-hunting operations. This shift was driven by the growing danger posed by Russian UAVs, even though helicopters were not originally designed for aerial combat. Using missiles against drones is costly, presenting an additional challenge for Ukrainian forces.

Helicopter commander Ihor Barnas explained that engaging aerial targets is an unusual mission for army aviation.

“At first, the Shaheds flew like an iron—straight ahead,” he noted.

“We fly step for step with them and cannot outrun them.”

Despite these difficulties, Ukrainian troops continue adapting their tactics to neutralize drones effectively—a critical component of the broader conflict. The increased use of Shahed drones by Russia reflects the evolving nature of warfare, where unmanned systems play an ever-larger role. This forces Ukraine not only to upgrade its air defenses but also to devise new methods to counter the aggressor, highlighting the dynamic and innovative character of modern combat operations in the region.