The number of Russian casualties from an overnight drone strike in the Leningrad region has climbed following reports that multiple military aircraft crashed near the Baltic coast. Seven crew members were killed during the operation to intercept Ukrainian drones, including two personnel aboard a MiG-31 fighter jet and five across a Ka-52 attack helicopter and an Mi-8 transport helicopter. Russian military bloggers and sources indicate that the aircraft were downed by a combination of hostile fire and friendly fire from Russian air-defense systems.
The drone raid targeted the commercial seaport of Ust-Luga, where the strikes ignited fires and injured three workers. While initial reports suggested only the loss of high-value Ka-52 helicopters, one of which is estimated to cost $16 million, subsequent details listed the fixed-wing MiG-31 among the wreckage. Moscow has not officially confirmed the casualty count or the loss of the aircraft.
