A high-velocity British missile is believed to have shot down a Russian helicopter in its first use since being supplied to Ukrainian forces.
Video captured the Mi-28N helicopter being ripped in half by Starstreak, an ultra modern anti-air missile, after it was deployed from the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, according to reports.
The rocket strikes targets with three kinetic darts and is the UK's most advanced manned portable missile system, the Mirror reports.
According to the Times, footage showing the tail of the shopper being blown off has been verified, with a Ministry of Defence source confirming the missile used in the attack as Starstreak.
The source also said that the anti-air missile system has been used in Ukraine for almost a week.
Vladimir Putin ’s negotiators have said this week that Russian forces would ease back from attacks on Kyiv and northern Ukraine although shelling has continued and there is a fear that they are simply regrouping.
It comes as Ukraine has managed to retake some territory taken from the Russians especially around Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said in a video address that the military situation in the east remained extremely difficult and Russia was preparing for new strikes in the Donbas region and the city of Kharkiv.
He added that Russian troops in the north of the country were pulling back, slowly but noticeably.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the UK's defence secretary, Ben Wallace, said Starstreak missiles would be sent to help protect the country.
In a statement to MPs, he said: "In response to a Ukrainian request, the Government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity manned portable anti-air missiles.
"We believe that this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons but will allow the Ukrainian force to better defend their skies.
"We shall also be increasing the supplies of rations, medical equipment and other non-lethal military aid."
The UK has insisted it will not put troops on the ground in Ukraine but, along with NATO allies, it will supply defensive support to President Zelensky's troops.
The defence secretary stressed the Government is "bound by the decision to supply defensive systems" and not escalate the war.
The UK provided 4,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine’s armed forces, including Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons Systems, or NLAWs, and Javelin missiles.
And then at the end of March, Britain announced that it was sending another 6,000 missiles to Ukraine which included anti-tank and high explosive weapons, along with another £25million for the Ukrainian military.
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