On May 12, the press service of the 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade released rare footage, showing one of its soldiers shooting down russian Su-25 attack aircraft with a shoulder-fired 9K38 Igla surface-to-air missile system.
The operator, known by the callsign Talib, achieved the hit in a single, well-aimed shot. The Su-25, russia's venerable close-air support jet, was brought down as it attempted to strike Ukrainian positions. Such clear, on-camera documentation of an aircraft kill is exceptionally uncommon on the modern battlefield, making this video a striking testament to both the bravery and skill of Ukraine's front-line troops.
Read more: First Detailed Video of Ukraine Using S-200 Missile, Credited For Tu-22M3, A-50 Downings
According to the Brigade's report, Talib is already credited with destroying four enemy aircraft and two Iranian-made Shahed drones.
"He hates it when any of that trash flies over his ground. And he is a formidable hunter. Stay tuned for more," the Brigade noted.
The successful engagement underscores the continued effectiveness of portable air-defense systems in contesting russian air superiority. The Igla missile, while developed in the late 1970s, remains a lethal threat to low-flying targets when employed by a well-trained crew. By combining modern tactics with proven hardware, Ukrainian forces continue to blunt enemy strikes and protect both military units and civilian communities behind the front lines.
As Defense Express previously reported, in a precision strike conducted on an undisclosed operational axis, the Ballista unit of the Special Operations Forces successfully destroyed russian BUK-M3 surface-to-air missile system along with its entire munitions load, as well as the Uragan-1 multiple launch rocket system.
The downing of these high-value targets was executed using armed unmanned aerial vehicles following a rapid reconnaissance operation.
Read more: Scorpion Precision Strike: Ukrainian Forces Destroy Ammo Depots and Communications near Vovchansk, Kharkiv Region (Video)
