Ukraine: The Latest

Ukrainian raid destroys Mi-8 helicopters in Crimea & Poland scrambles jets as Russia bombs Ukraine

Sep 22, 2025
Francis Farrell, a frontline reporter for The Kyiv Independent, shares riveting insights into the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He discusses recent Ukrainian strikes that destroyed Russian Mi-8 helicopters in Crimea and the implications for both sides. Farrell delves into the tense dynamics of airspace violations, especially Estonia's cautious response compared to Turkey's decisive action in 2015. He also provides a glimpse into the reality faced by Ukrainian soldiers amid evolving battle tactics and the shifting narratives of Russian propaganda.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

NATO's Restraint Versus Decisive Response

  • Estonia's 12-minute airspace violation by Russian MiG-31s exposed NATO's dilemma between restraint and decisive force.
  • Public statements and Article 4 consultations signal readiness but stop short of committing to shoot-downs.
INSIGHT

High-Volume Strikes Test Ukraine's Air Defences

  • Russia sustained high-volume drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, showing campaign intensity and civilian targeting.
  • Air defences intercepted most but strikes still killed civilians and damaged infrastructure across multiple regions.
ANECDOTE

HUR Claims Strikes On Crimean Assets

  • Dominic reported footage showing three Russian Mi-8 helicopters and a Nebo U radar destroyed in Crimea, attributed to Ukraine's HUR special units.
  • The HUR also claimed destruction of two BE-12 amphibious aircraft, increasing attacks on occupied Crimea.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app