WATCH: Ukrainian sea drone shoots down Russian Mi-8 helicopter

Ukraine says one of its uncrewed surface vessels (USV), armed with an adapted surface-to-air missile, shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter over the Black Sea near Crimea on Monday.

If confirmed, this would mark the first known instance of a drone boat successfully targeting and downing an aircraft.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence reported the engagement occurred near Cape Tarkhankut, in Russian-occupied Crimea.

The missile, a heat-seeking R-73 usually employed in air-to-air combat, was fired from a Magura V5 USV operated by Ukraine's military intelligence unit, GUR.

Video footage released by Ukraine purportedly shows the engagement, with the helicopter releasing flares to evade the missile, followed by a fiery explosion and the helicopter's apparent demise.

Russian military bloggers have corroborated the incident, although independent verification remains pending. Another helicopter, of an unspecified type, was reportedly damaged but managed to return to base.

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the GUR, stated that while this was the first successful use of such a system, there had been previous failed attempts. The adaptation of the R-73 missile, nicknamed the "Sea Dragon," highlights Ukraine's ingenuity in countering Russian air superiority in the Black Sea region.

The development poses a new challenge for Russian operations, particularly for helicopters typically used to target Ukrainian USVs. With limited standoff range, they could now face increased risk from these drone boats.

Ukraine has previously used R-73 missiles in ground-based air defence systems and has significant stockpiles of the weapon. This latest innovation further underscores the evolving dynamics of the conflict, as both sides adapt to emerging technologies in the ongoing war.