Ukrainian Mi-8 carries at least three interceptor UAVs in Independence Day video
Screengrab from video posted on 24 August 2026 depicting Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter equipped with at least three Litavr interceptor UAVs. (Office of the President of Ukraine )
A Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter carrying at least three interceptor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on external launch rails was seen in a video posted by the Office of the President of Ukraine to mark the country's Independence Day on 24 August 2026.
As per Janes analysis, the visible cabin in the video and the applique armour underneath the wing mirror are distinctive of a Ukrainian Mi-8. The pylons also match those from the Mi-8 family.
The interceptor UAVs appear to resemble Ukrainian company F-Drones' F7 Litavr interceptors. The company had not responded to a Janes request for comment by the time of publication. The Mi-8 has three hardpoints on each side, though it is not clear how many UAVs could potentially be launched from them.
The Litavr interceptor UAV has a maximum speed of 350 km/h, an operational range of 40 km, and a maximum operating altitude of 9 km, according to an 8 June news release from Ukraine's Ministry of Defence (MoD). A unit of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) recorded an 80 km flight carried out by Litavr, the MoD said in the release. The interceptor is equipped with electro optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras as well as its own “non-GPS [global positioning system] navigation capability”, according to the MoD. The platform can be integrated with radar systems through the company's Larag software suite.
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