The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports the destruction of the 172nd helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force.

According to official data of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, over the past day, a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force was shot down near the village of Zaselye, Mykolaiv region. The helicopter was shot down by a Russian fighter and became the 172nd rotorcraft destroyed since the start of the special military operation.

"Fighter aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the area of ​​​​the village of Zaselye, Nikolaev region, shot down a Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force", - informs the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.

It is not known for what purposes the Ukrainian helicopter was used, however, given the area of ​​its declared defeat, experts believe that the helicopter could carry out the transfer of Ukrainian troops to the front line, evacuate the wounded, or be used to strike with unguided weapons.

How many helicopters can be in service with Ukraine today is unknown, however, the latter continue to be actively used by the Ukrainian army even in areas of the actual front line. So, in particular, another Mi-8 helicopter was shot down the day before.