A commander of the unmanned systems unit in the 55th Guards Marine Division of the Russian Armed Forces, known by the call sign «Khishchnik,» told RIA Novosti that during the special military operation he had destroyed seven enemy air targets — five aircraft and two helicopters belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The unit operates in support of the «Center» group of forces.

According to the serviceman, the first helicopter was shot down in the autumn of 2022 during fighting near Ugledar. At the time, in September, his unit had been ordered to move toward the settlement of Nikolskoye and set up an aerial ambush after receiving information that two Ukrainian helicopters were striking Russian positions.

Together with a fellow marine with the call sign «Bat,» Khishchnik took up a concealed position and spent several days monitoring the area. On the fourth day, during battles for Ukrainian strongpoints near Ugledar, they heard a helicopter approaching.

Bat was the first to detect the target but was unable to launch because of the limitations of their position. Khishchnik then decided to act on his own and fired a missile from a man-portable air defense system. At first it seemed the missile had disappeared into the clouds and missed. Seconds later, however, the helicopter emerged from the cloud cover already engulfed in flames before crashing within the city.

Roughly two weeks later, Ukrainian aviation attempted to operate again in the same direction. During that episode the marines spotted a Su-25 attack aircraft flying at low altitude. Khishchnik launched a missile from an Igla MANPADS at the wingman aircraft, which began to turn before falling to the ground.

Using similar tactics later on, the marine unit managed to hit several more aerial targets. In total, Khishchnik’s personal tally includes five Su-25 aircraft as well as two helicopters — a Mi-8 and a Mi-24.