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Ukrainian Drones Damage Su-57, Mortar, Refinery; Russia Armor-up Helicopters

5/2/2026

46 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ukrainian drones, only 2 % of its forces, have destroyed one-third of targets and on April 25 damaged Su-57 and Su-34 aircraft at Shagol airfield.
On April 30 Ukrainian drones destroyed a 240 mm 2S4 Tyulpan mortar.
A fourth drone strike on May 1 hit the Tuapse oil refinery, igniting two tanks, causing a blackout and cutting output 20-30 %.
Russia has begun fitting modular armor to more than 50 Mi-8 transport helicopters to counter attrition.

History

Historical Context

The United States first armed its MQ-1 Predator on 7 October 2001, launching a Hellfire missile in Afghanistan—a milestone noted by the CIA and USAF. That debut of low-cost, long-endurance drones set a precedent that today’s cheap Shahed-type UAVs used by Ukraine are able to down a Russian Su-57, strike a Tyulpan mortar and ignite the Tuapse refinery.

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Story summary

Ukrainian drones, only 2 % of its forces, have destroyed one-third of targets and on April 25 damaged Su-57 and Su-34 aircraft at Shagol airfield.
On April 30 Ukrainian drones destroyed a 240 mm 2S4 Tyulpan mortar.
A fourth drone strike on May 1 hit the Tuapse oil refinery, igniting two tanks, causing a blackout and cutting output 20-30 %.
Russia has begun fitting modular armor to more than 50 Mi-8 transport helicopters to counter attrition.

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