Resistance fighters in Myanmar’s Magwe Region say they have destroyed a military helicopter in one of the most audacious attacks yet against the junta’s air power. The strike took place on Tuesday near Twinma village, south of Myaing town, where regime troops were stationed alongside the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia. According to the Magwe People’s Defence Force (PDF), suicide drones were launched just after the Mi‑17 helicopter had unloaded supplies and reinforcements and was preparing to take off. Footage released by the group shows two drones hitting the Russian-made aircraft. A military defector reported that a sergeant was killed and another seriously injured, while the helicopter sustained heavy damage. The PDF has not confirmed casualties. The regime responded with airstrikes using Chinese-made Y‑12 transport planes, repurposed for bombing missions, and fighter jets. Local sources say thousands of residents from around 20 villages have already fled the area as troops launched a counter-offensive involving some 300 soldiers. The attack underscores the growing ability of resistance forces to target the junta’s aircraft. Since the 2021 coup, at least 14 helicopters and planes have been shot down or destroyed across the country. The Mi‑17, valued at around US$15 million, has been a frequent target, with the Kachin Independence Army claiming two successful strikes in recent years. Magwe has become a flashpoint in recent weeks. Regime troops retreated to Twinma last month after losing control of Thayetkan police station to resistance fighters. The militia stronghold now shelters hundreds of soldiers, making it a key target for drone assaults. The Irrawaddy reports that attempts to reach a regime spokesperson in Magwe were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, resistance groups warn civilians to brace for further aerial retaliation. For many in Myanmar, the downing of the helicopter is both a symbolic and strategic victory. It highlights how drones—cheap, adaptable and increasingly effective—are reshaping the battlefield against a military that once relied on air superiority to suppress dissent. -2026-06-25
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