.ON JULY 31ST pictures of a Russian Mi-8 transportation chopper, collapsed and also burning, began circulating on social media. That in itself was not unusual: Ukrainian powers have actually obliterated ratings of helicopters due to the fact that the Russian invasion started. A lot more unexpected was actually the insurance claim in the Ukrainian push that this chopper had been downed by a small drone. A video clip released by the nation's armies a few days later on seemed to be to offer credence to that case: the footage (view listed below) reveals a drone hitting another Russian aircraft, this moment an Mi-28 strike chopper, apparently forcing it to make an emergency situation touchdown. Were these privileged favorites-- or indications of an advance in flying combat?