Friendly fire mishap: Russian defenses target own helicopter
On the night of April 9th to 10th, an unusual incident occurred in the Naro-Fominsk area near Moscow. According to reports from the military service, the Russian air defense mistakenly fired at its own helicopter, confusing it with an enemy drone. Residents recorded this event and shared videos on social media.
The recordings show the helicopter flying over the city as Russian forces try to shoot it down. At that time, various regions of Russia were being attacked by Ukrainian drones, which might have contributed to the confusion. Residents of Naro-Fominsk reported that around 6:30 PM ET, there was a loud explosion that triggered car alarms and caused window panes to shake.
Aviation incident in Russia
It is unclear if the helicopter was damaged, as Russian media did not report its downing. It is possible that the aircraft reached the base without significant damage. It is worth noting that a drone interception operation was ongoing at night, in which helicopters might have participated.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that 42 Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight over various regions, including Moscow. However, the lack of information about the helicopter's downing suggests that the incident might have been the result of a miscommunication during defensive coordination.
It is worth remembering that similar situations have occurred before. In July 2024, a Russian Mi-28 helicopter, also hunting drones, crashed in the Kaluga region. At that time, the crew perished. These types of helicopters, also known as Mi-28N "Night Hunter" (Russian "Nochnoy Okhotnik"), are a Russian design intended for total battlefield dominance — both day and night.
The Mi-28, considered Moscow's response to the American AH-64 Apache, was primarily created to combat tanks, armoured vehicles, and opposing forces. It can also perform limited reconnaissance activities and support ground troops with precise fire, making it one of the most formidable elements of the Russian helicopter arsenal.
The Mi-28 is a classic attack helicopter with a tandem configuration, featuring two seats in the cockpit — the pilot and the weapon operator sit one behind the other. The aircraft is armoured to survive challenging combat conditions. Titanium armour and bulletproof glass protect the pilot's cabin and crucial structural elements. Russians boast that the fuselage can withstand hits from weapons up to 20 mm calibre.
In the nose of the Mi-28, an automatic 2A42 cannon with a 30 mm calibre is mounted, the same as installed in, among others, the BMP-2. It can strike targets at distances of 1,500 to 2,400 metres, both lightly armoured vehicles and personnel. Under its wings, four pylons can carry a wide range of weaponry: guided 9M120 Ataka anti-tank missiles with HEAT and thermobaric warheads, unguided rockets with 80 mm (S-8) and 130 mm (S-13) calibres, and also pods with cannons or bombs. In more modern versions, carrying air-to-air missiles for self-defense against drones and enemy helicopters has also been tested.
