The destruction of Russian helicopters using Magura V5 drones has reduced the number of enemy helicopter flights, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Dmytro Pletenchuk, Spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy. According to Pletenchuk,

Neither Russia nor Ukraine holds a clear advantage in the Black Sea. Both sides maintain freedom of action near their coastlines, supported by air defenses, mines, and coastal support, the Estonian news agency ERR reports,

Ukraine said it destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter with a Magura V5 naval strike drone that was equipped with missile weapons.

The Shahed-136 is particularly vexing for nations on the receiving end of its attacks. The drone poses significant defensive challenges, as both the Houthis out of Yemen and the Russians fighting in Ukraine have shown.

Russia has scaled back the frequency of helicopter flights over the Black Sea after Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) downed two Russian helicopters on the night of 30-31 December. Source: Dmytro Pletenchuk,

Missile-toting drone boats blew up two Russian helicopters and damaged a third in a Black Sea skirmish. Why it matters: Ukrainian outlets said the shoot-downs were world firsts. Engagements like this — especially with video evidence — leave little room for drone warfare naysayers.