Kursk Footage Shows Russian Mi-28 Attack Helicopters’ Nighttime Strikes on Ukrainian Infantry and Armour

Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on August 15 has shown a nighttime operation by Mi-28NM attack helicopters targeting Ukrainian and allied forces in the Russian Kursk region. The footage showed the aircraft using thermal sensors to detect and fire on both infantry and armoured units, and use of the 9K121 Vikhr anti-tank missiles against the latter targets. The Mi-28 represents the Russian Air Force’s most capable class of attack helicopter. New variants of the Vikhr missiles can reportedly penetrate 750mm of armour, while each helicopter can carry up to 16 of the missiles.

An estimated 15,000 personnel have been involved in the assault on Kursk, including not only Ukrainian forces, but also contractors and volunteers from a number of Western countries, with the presences of Polish and English speaking forces having been confirmed. The incursion was launched on August 6, and has seen many of Ukraine’s most capable units committed including top end military hardware such as the scarce Challenger 2, Leopard and T-80 tanks. Losses have reportedly been extreme, with footage showing the destruction of all major tank classes committed to the offensive, with intense air, drone and artillery strikes expected to continue to exact a significant toll. The Mi-28 has been deployed from early 2022 for anti-tank duties, although one of the helicopters was reportedly been damaged or destroyed on August 6 in the Kursk region by a Ukrainian drone attack.