Russia's 50th Independent UAV Brigade "Varyag" released drone footage on 10/9, showing a Ukrainian light fighter MiG-29 flying near Vasilkov airbase, southwest of Kyiv.

The unit subsequently deployed a Geran-4 Siker suicide UAV to strike the fighter jet parked at Vasilkov airfield, triggering a night explosion. Reconnaissance UAV images recorded the next morning revealed a nearly completely destroyed MiG-29, alongside a vehicle appearing to be a fuel truck.

Russian UAVs strike a MiG-29 aircraft and a UH-60 helicopter in Kyiv province in a video released on 10/9. Video: Russia's Ministry of Defense, TASS

Russia's Ministry of Defense later confirmed using long-range UAVs to attack the MiG-29 at Vasilkov base but did not provide specific details.

In a second video, a Geran-4 Siker UAV flew over Zhuliany International Airport in Kyiv on 4/9. It locked onto a UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter belonging to Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), which was parked on a taxiway between the runway end and the decommissioned aircraft area.

The UAV operating crew detected a vehicle moving towards a second UH-60 parked at the helipad and redirected to that aircraft. The video did not capture the moment the UAV struck its target but included images of a large black smoke plume rising from Zhuliany, taken by local residents.

GeoConfirmed, an X account specializing in geolocating combat videos, posted low-resolution satellite imagery on 12/9, showing clear burn marks at the helipad and the location of a decommissioned passenger plane in a nearby grassy area.

An area at Zhuliany airport in Kyiv, Ukraine in a video released on 10/9. Video: X/zarGEOINT

The Ukrainian military has not commented on the information. Local media reported that a decommissioned Yak-40 passenger plane was destroyed in the attack, but did not mention the UH-60.

If confirmed, this would mark the first UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter destroyed in the Ukraine conflict.

Rybar, a social media account linked to the Russian military and often used as an alternative source for Moscow's official statements, noted that the combat readiness of these aircraft is not critical for such strikes. "It is noteworthy that Geran UAVs are creating new problems for the Ukrainian air force. Due to a shortage of air defense missiles, they must use fighters and helicopters to counter UAVs. Damage to any of these aircraft will worsen the crisis facing the Ukrainian military", Rybar said.

Burn marks at the UH-60 helipad (blue) at Zhuliany airport in an image released on 9/9. Photo: X/OSINTWarfare

The UH-60 Black Hawk is a tactical transport helicopter introduced by the US Army in 1979. It boasts a maximum speed of 295 km/h and a service ceiling of 5,8 km. Many later variants were also developed for the US Navy and US Coast Guard, and exported to numerous countries worldwide.

Ukraine possesses only three US-made Black Hawk helicopters, all purchased with foreign donations and operated by GUR.

Oryx, a Netherlands-based open-source intelligence tracking site, estimates at least 38 Ukrainian MiG-29s have been destroyed since the start of the conflict. The actual number may be higher, as Oryx only lists visually verified losses. As of 2025, Ukraine's air force is believed to have 53 MiG-29 aircraft in service.

Nguyen Tien (According to TASS, RIA Novosti, AP)