Pro-war Russian Telegram channels have alleged that three military helicopter crews were killed while attempting to repel a Ukrainian drone strike on St. Petersburg.
While the Russian Ministry of Defense has not confirmed any aircraft losses, the claims suggest that seven personnel died during the overnight operation.
The reports emerged on Wednesday morning, shortly after the Leningrad region governor, Alexander Drozdenko, announced that air defenses had intercepted 150 Ukrainian drones over the territory. Drozdenko said that the drone activity ignited a fire at the Ust-Luga port, which he described as Russia’s largest port on the Baltic Sea, resulting in injuries to three workers.
Ilya Tumanov, the owner of the Fighterbomber channel—which maintains close ties to the Russian Aerospace Forces—posted a plain black square to his followers. He said that the effort to defend St. Petersburg from the drone incursion “cost us very dearly,” adding that the price was “very, very, very dearly.”
Another prominent pro-war channel, Voevoda Veshchaet, provided more specific figures regarding the casualties. The channel characterized the incident as a “huge wound” for the Aerospace Forces, stating that “3 experienced crews, seven brave Warriors” had perished during the night.
The identity and type of the aircraft involved remain unconfirmed, as neither channel specified which helicopters were lost or the precise manner in which they were downed. The Defence Blog, an independent outlet covering military technology and security, reported that it could not independently verify the claims of the lost aircrews.
Public speculation has centered on the potential involvement of Ka-52 attack helicopters. The channel Na Predele published a black-and-white photograph of a Ka-52, noting that the pilots could not be retrieved.
However, because a Ka-52 typically carries a crew of two, multiple channels have suggested that a mix of aircraft types—potentially including the three-person Mi-8—may have been involved. Russia has previously deployed Mi-8 helicopters, including versions modified as airborne drone jammers, to counter unmanned aerial threats.
Ukrainian commentator Serhii Sternenko suggested that the aircraft may have been downed by Russian air defenses during the chaotic response to the drone swarm. This theory remains speculative, as no evidence has been provided to support a case of friendly fire.
Russian officials have maintained silence regarding the reported aviation losses. While Governor Drozdenko confirmed the damage at the Ust-Luga port and the intensity of the air defense engagement, he made no mention of military aircraft casualties. No names of the deceased have been released by the Ministry of Defense, leaving the status of the aircrews officially unaddressed.
