Russia shot down an Armed Forces of Ukraine Mil Mi-8 helicopter.

According to information published by Военный Осведомитель on March 29, 2022, an Armed Forces of Ukraine Mi-8 helicopter was shot down over the Sea of Azov by the Russian Forces, 5 kilometers from the coastline, heading to the area of Mariupol.

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Ukrainian Mil Mi-8 helicopter (Picture source: Военный Осведомитель)

The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia. In addition to its most common role as a transport helicopter, the Mi-8 is also used as an airborne command post, armed gunship, and reconnaissance platform.

Along with the related, more powerful Mil Mi-17, the Mi-8 is among the world's most-produced helicopters, used by over 50 countries. As of 2015, when combined the two helicopters are the third most common operational military aircraft in the world.

The Mi-8 is constantly improving. The second generation of the Mi-8 was changed to a tractor-tail rotor configuration as this configuration has increased yaw authority from the upwards advancing tail rotor blades into the downwash.

The increase of the airspeed flowing over the rotor blades increases overall tail rotor effectiveness and yaw authority, whereas with the "Pusher" tail rotor configuration the advancing rotor blade moves downwards. This decreases the airspeed across the rotor blade, reducing its overall effective yaw authority.