"Ukraine Claims Historic First with Drone Attack on Russian Helicopter"

In a groundbreaking development, Ukraine's intelligence agency announced that a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was downed by a missile-equipped Magura V5 maritime drone, during a confrontation near Cape Tarkhankut, located on Crimea's western shoreline. This incident is particularly significant as it is reportedly the first instance in history where a drone on maritime duty has successfully targeted and destroyed an aerial craft, a claim made by Ukraine’s GUR agency through a Telegram post. Video footage has emerged, purportedly capturing the dramatic moment the helicopter crashed into the sea.

Furthermore, another Russian helicopter sustained damage but managed to return to an airfield. While these claims by Ukraine have yet to be independently substantiated, they coincide with allegations from the Ukrainian military regarding an assault on an oil depot in the Smolensk region of Russia, which they assert serves military purposes. The local governor mentioned that debris from one of ten Ukrainian drones intercepted by Russian defenses fell onto the facility, but he assured that the situation was under control without providing additional details.

Additionally, Kyiv successfully executed a prisoner exchange, bringing home 189 individuals previously held captive while releasing 150 Russian soldiers back to Moscow. This exchange adds another layer to the ongoing conflict, illustrating the complex dynamics of military and humanitarian efforts amid heightened tensions.