The Nigerian Air Force has shared the video of the night airstrike that took place on December 19 against a caravan of the terrorist group Boko Haram.
When it became known that the caravan, consisting of about seven vehicles, was approaching the town of Ajiri, in Borno state, the military sent several Mi-35M helicopters to eliminate them and prevent them from entering the town.
In the video, you can see how the aircraft strike the first hit with several unguided rockets, and then carry out two more attacks against the survivors who were trying to escape. According to reports by General John Enenche of the Nigerian Air Force, two vans equipped with machine guns were destroyed while the others were immobilized.
Although only the use of the rockets is reported, judging by the images the helicopters also used their GSh-23L cannons, 23 millimeters and with a rate of fire of up to 3,200 rounds per minute. Apart from the cannon, these aircraft are capable of carrying up to 80 S-8 unguided rockets, as well as Shturm-B and Ataka-M guided missiles, which have a range of up to six kilometers.
The night attack was possible thanks to the optical and electronic equipment that is installed in the Mi-35M helicopters, which also includes thermal cameras. As the video shows, all of this enables them to perform night missions with maximum efficiency.