A Russian Geran-2 drone may have scored its first air-to-air kill, creating aviation history. The supporting evidence, however, is largely circumstantial so far.
A Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter from the 12th Separate Army Aviation Brigade was lost in combat on December 17, 2025.
The specific location or area of operation has not been publicly disclosed. However, in recent months, Ukrainian combat helicopters have not been operating near the front, so the loss cannot be attributed to a ground-launched missile.
In fact, Ukrainian combat helicopters have been largely co-opted for counter-drone operations, making it more likely that the loss occurred during such operations.
Official Ukrainian sources admit the downing as a combat loss. While it is possible that the helicopter was brought down by a Geran-2 drone, either by ramming or through the use of an air-to-air missile, there are other possibilities too, including controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) while positioning for an attack on a drone.
All four crew members were killed in the incident.
The Making of a 'Hero of Ukraine'
The Mi-24 was piloted by the deputy commander of the brigade, a “Hero of Ukraine,” Lieutenant Colonel Shemet.
A native of the Chernihiv region, Colonel Shemet graduated from the Syzran Higher Military Aviation School. After serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a helicopter pilot, he retired before the start of the war.
He was recalled to duty following the start of the war and participated in the defence of the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol between March and May 2022.
In an operation codenamed Air Corridor (also known as Air Breakthrough to Azovstal), Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters flew daring resupply and evacuation missions amid the Russian siege of Mariupol.
In order to avoid detection by Russian radar and air defences, they flew a nap-of-the-earth (NOE) profile, sometimes as low as 20 ft above the ground or water, carrying critical supplies such as Stinger and Javelin missiles, ammunition, medicine, and Starlink satellite internet equipment to the besieged defenders. On their return to Ukrainian-held territory, they evacuated wounded soldiers.
Colonel Shemet was decorated with the “Hero of Ukraine” title for his participation in the operation.
Air-to-Air Combat Loss?
In early December, Ukrainian sources reported that Russian forces had operationally deployed upgraded Geran drones capable of launching R-60 air-to-air missiles. The Soviet-era short-range missile is mounted on a launcher on top of the drone. After launch, the heat-seeking missile can autonomously fly to its target.
The interceptor variant of the Geran drone operates as part of a swarm that includes other Geran drones configured for electronic warfare, photo reconnaissance, ELINT, communication relay, and decoy missions.
When launched from a fast-flying fighter aircraft, the R-60 has a range of 7–10 km. When launched from a slow-flying drone, its range would be significantly less.
For a successful engagement, the operator flying the drone remotely would need to establish visual contact with the target and maneuver the drone such that the missile’s seeker can obtain a lock onto the target.
According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Russia has adapted the Soviet R-60 air-to-air missile for drone launch in order to shoot down Ukrainian helicopters and airplanes that intercept Russian drones. The drone is equipped with two cameras—one in the nose and one behind the launcher. The placement of the cameras is likely aimed at helping the drone operator align the drone accurately towards the target.
Broadband communication between the drone and its remote pilot is facilitated through a mesh network, with several other Geran drones operating as communication relays.
Using the video streams relayed through the broadband communication link, the remote pilot can acquire the target using the stream from the front camera, align the drone with the target using video streams from the front and rear cameras, and launch the missile when in range.
The interceptor drone additionally features SATNAV (satellite navigation) hardened against electronic warfare, with a 12-channel jammer-proof Kometa module.
Following launch, the missile independently captures the target using its thermal seeker and autonomously steers itself towards it.
There is also a variant with preliminary target acquisition by the warhead and confirmation by the operator before launch.
The Geran drones armed with R-60 air-to-air missiles are primarily deployed to disrupt the use of combat helicopters and trainer aircraft for counter-drone operations.
It is likely that Ukrainian helicopters and trainer aircraft engaged in counter-drone warfare are already being equipped with defensive suites comprising sensors to detect missile threats and countermeasures such as heat flares.
Conclusion
While the exact reason for the combat loss of the Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter is not known, it is clearly linked to the rapid evolution of drone warfare and the consequent need for counter-drone operations. Both are set to be part of any future warfare. Notably, both represent affordable forms of warfare that would be attractive to nations or groups with limited resources.
From India’s point of view, drone and counter-drone warfare represent technologies that can be handled exclusively by the private sector. Developing a Geran-type drone family, including a drone capable of launching a heat-seeking air-to-air missile, is a task that could well be executed by TASL or L&T. The same applies to interceptor drones.
Russia’s evolutionary development of drone technology is worth taking note of. More than technology alone, time and evolutionary iterations are critical to the development of an effective weapon system.
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