Russian Helicopter Fires Low-Cost Cruise Missile
Russia's Defense Ministry released footage of a Mi-28NM firing a cruise missile in Ukraine, with Russian forces weighing a cheaper option.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Military
Russia's Defense Ministry released footage of a Mi-28NM attack helicopter firing a low-cost cruise missile in Ukraine. The missile is either the Kronstadt-built S8000 Banderol or the Dan-T, a reworked aerial target drone.
Why it matters
The Dan-T reportedly costs about 35% less than the Banderol, and Russia's Aerospace Forces are considering buying only that missile. Expanding launch options from ground systems, helicopters and jets could broaden how cheap long-range strike weapons are used.
The Banderol flies about 500 km at roughly 500 km/h with a roughly 50 kg warhead, while the Dan-T carries a 135 kg warhead over a similar 500 km range at about 35% lower reported cost. Whether the helicopter-launched missile is the Banderol or the Dan-T has not been settled, and the procurement plan is still under consideration.
The players
Kronstadt
Kronstadt is the Russian defense company that builds the Banderol cruise missile, a program that has drawn attention for its low-cost long-range strike design.
Russian Aerospace Forces
The Russian Aerospace Forces are the branch of the Russian military responsible for air operations and aerial weapons, and are reportedly considering buying only the Dan-T missile.
The details
The Mi-28NM fired the small cruise missile from a pylon under its stub wing. The missiles follow a set low-altitude route on a jet engine and steer using satellite and inertial navigation.
Timeline
July: Russian state television first showed the Banderol officially under an Orion drone.
September: ICT-Online reported disagreement among Russian experts over the missile's identity.
As of August: Dan-T could be fired from ground launchers, the Mi-28 helicopter and several Su-series jets.
2027: Russia plans to produce about 10,000 Dan-T missiles, according to a Ukrainian analyst's estimate.
Big Picture
The Dan-T is a reworked version of the Dan-M aerial target drone, converted into a cruise missile with a 135 kg warhead and about 500 km range. This conversion of a target drone into a strike weapon places it among the cheap, mass-producible long-range munitions that Russia is now weighing against more expensive options like the Banderol.
Readers following the war in Ukraine should note that cheaper, air-launched cruise missiles could increase the volume and variety of long-range strikes. Changes in procurement, such as a possible shift to the Dan-T, may affect how quickly such weapons are produced and deployed.
The takeaway
The missile's identity and Russia's procurement plans are still unsettled, so expect reporting on production numbers and deployment to shift as more evidence emerges. Cheaper missiles that can be launched from several platforms are likely to remain a central feature of the Ukraine conflict.
Further reading
For more on how militaries are fielding cheap long-range strike weapons, explore our Military coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Defence Blog.
