Footage circulating online shows a Russian Ka-52 helicopter chasing down and destroying a large UAV
A new video appeared online on Thursday purportedly showing the moment a Russian Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ attack helicopter took down a Ukrainian kamikaze drone.
The video, said to be taken by fishermen in Lipetsk Region, shows a large fixed-wing UAV flying at low altitude.
The aircraft is chased by the attack helicopter, which shoots an anti-aircraft missile at the drone out of view of the camera. The blast shatters the drone into small bits to the cheers of the fishermen, the video shows.
Moscow has been actively using attack helicopters as interceptors to repel Ukrainian long-range drone attacks. Conventional fighter jets are not suited for such a role, as the low speeds and altitudes of the drones pose a danger to intercepting aircraft.
Kiev’s attempts to use fighter jets to repel Russian Geran-2 kamikaze drone strikes have repeatedly resulted in loss of the aircraft due to technical reasons, friendly fire from the ground, and damage sustained by the jets from UAVs exploding mid-air.
Both sides of the conflict have actively exchanged long-range strikes lately. In recent days, for instance, the Russian military repeatedly attacked so-called Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR) enlistment offices overseeing Ukraine’s chaotic mobilization drive, as well as other military and dual-use targets.
The Ukrainian military has continued its apparently indiscriminate attack on Russia. This week, Voronezh became one of the prime targets for Kiev’s troops, who scored multiple hits on residential buildings across the city.
The Russian authorities have accused Ukraine of resorting to attacks on civilian infrastructure to compensate for military setbacks on the front line. Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky reiterated on Sunday his intention to “bring the war to Russian territory,” saying his government is planning additional long-range strikes against the country.
