Media: Russian Mi-28 helicopter crashes in Kerch Strait, two pilots lost

A Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter has crashed into the Kerch Strait during a scheduled patrol flight, according to a Russian military source, Ukrainian military portal Militarnyi reported.

The helicopter was part of ongoing operations to protect the Kerch Bridge, which Russian forces use as a key supply route to occupied Crimea. Russian Mi-28 and Ka-52 helicopters regularly patrol the area, conducting both bridge defense and drone interception missions. Additionally, Russia has boosted the defenses of the bridge, adding more booms at sea and installing more air defense systems,

Russian “milblogger” Fighterbomber (Ilya Tumanov), linked to the Russian military aviation,wrote that that the helicopter’s pilot lost control of the aircraft before it crashed into the water. Of the two crew members aboard, one has reportedly been confirmed dead while the other remains missing, with search operations ongoing.

This incident follows a pattern of similar losses. A Mi-28 crash was reported in Russia’s Kaluga Oblast in late July 2024, where the entire crew perished after the helicopter lost speed and altitude while attempting to intercept a drone.

Earlier, in early July 2024, another Mi-28 crashed in Rostov Oblast after colliding with a drone during an interception attempt, though in that case the crew managed to evacuate.

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