The integration of drones and robotic systems on the battlefield is increasingly influencing contemporary military operations. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, parachute drops by Ukrainian defense forces have been limited due to heightened risks.
In February 2022, the Russian military attempted a helicopter-borne landing in Hostomel but faced significant losses. The effectiveness of parachute landings in open areas has diminished, largely due to the prevalence of reconnaissance drones and advanced air defense systems. Consequently, operations are now initiated with strike drones, while both Ukrainian and Russian airborne assault troops have shifted focus to more complex infantry tasks.
Despite these changes, parachute jumps remain a crucial component of training for Ukrainian airborne troops. A recent photo report highlights the training of new recruits and the retraining of officers in airborne units.
Paratroopers board a Mi-8 helicopter for parachute jump exercises at a training ground. The Mi-8 is one of the most widely used helicopters in aviation history, serving both military and civilian purposes.
A new recruit prepares for a jump under the supervision of an instructor. Vitaliy, the head of the airborne training school, stated, “Parachute jumps remain a mandatory element of paratrooper training. Both mobilized recruits and active-duty soldiers participate voluntarily.” During training, personnel parachute from a Mi-8 helicopter with a cargo container that includes essential equipment and weapons, enabling them to engage immediately upon landing if necessary.
The view from the cockpit of the Mi-8 helicopter provides a unique perspective on the training exercises.
Instructors monitor the deployment of personnel immediately after the last soldier jumps. Throughout their training, soldiers make three jumps: the first is an introductory jump, the second involves a weapon, and the third combines both the weapon and a specific task. Helicopters ascend to altitudes of 600-800 meters for round parachute jumps or up to 1,500 meters for other types. Vitaliy added, “Before training, soldiers must learn all technical specifications of the parachute systems they will use, be able to pack them, and practice elements on the airborne training complex. Today, a paratrooper must be proficient in various skills. Previously, there were no FPV drones, but now soldiers need to know how to counter them, move quickly, and navigate discreetly in the field.”
Jumping from 800 meters with a round parachute, which is less maneuverable, means that landing accuracy can vary.
For many soldiers at this training ground, parachuting is not just a routine exercise but a tradition that they describe as a “means of strengthening combat spirit.” They openly express their emotions before and after the jumps.
For Daniil, a soldier in one of the airborne assault units, this jump marks his 16th. He noted, “I have jumped from both 600 and 800 meters. The 600-meter jump is more challenging because there is less time to execute all actions for parachute deployment. For me, parachuting is primarily a ritual, a tradition that paratroopers need to uphold, and it also forms part of their psychological preparation.”
A group of paratroopers lines up, awaiting their flight for parachute jump training.
Ukrainian airborne soldiers observe as the helicopter approaches for landing.
An instructor oversees the boarding process for personnel onto the Mi-8 helicopter.
A combat medic from the Ukrainian airborne assault unit, known by the call sign “Verba,” has served for six years, all within the airborne forces. He remarked, “Jumping and deploying the parachute is straightforward for me. The challenge lies in getting the right mindset and properly pushing off for the jump. In the air, you feel different compared to being on the ground, and when the parachute opens, it feels like ‘soft feathers.'”
A paratrooper flies with a wing-type parachute, which offers greater control during descent.
A soldier from the airborne assault unit observes the landing of his comrade, as the wing-type parachute allows for more precise landing maneuvers.
Ukrainian paratroopers continue to incorporate parachute training into their preparation despite the evolving nature of warfare. As modern combat increasingly relies on drones and advanced technologies, the training regimen adapts while maintaining traditional elements.