The purpose of this study is to analyze how the tactical success of the ukrainian helicopter-borne operation to Mariupol 2022 can be understood through William H. McRavens theory of relative superiority. By doing so, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of how militarily weaker actors can achieve tactical success against militarily stronger opponent in a highly contested air domain. During the initial part of the Russian invasion of ukraine 2022 ukraine successfully performed a series of helicopter-borne operations into the besieged city of Mariupol to deliver supplies and reinforcements despite significant risks from Russian air defence systems. Through a theory consuming approach, the study applies an operationalization of McRaven’s principles to analyze the operations as a single case. The findings show that different principles were decisive in different phases of the operations. In the planning stage, the principles of simplicity, security and purpose made the operations possible and facilitated repeated executions. During the infiltration to Mariupol, the principles of surprise and speed were prominent and enabled Ukrainian helicopters getting through Russian airspace unharmed. In the unloading phase the surprise was lost, and the operations were dependent on speed. During exfiltration the helicopter-borne operations used speed and deception to minimize the risk from Russian air defences. Through McRavens principles, the ukrainian helicopter-borne operations to Mariupol managed to temporarily gain an advantage over a militarily stronger adversary and achieved tactical success. The Ukrainian forces successfully delivered approximately 30 tons of supplies, inserted 72 personnel, and evacuated 64 casualties from the besieged city of Mariupol.