New Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters inflicting heavy cost on Ukraine, defence intelligence reports
Russia's new variant of its Ka-52 attack helicopter, often nicknamed 'Putin’s vulture', has been imposing a heavy cost on Ukraine over the last few months, UK defence intelligence suggests.
The new variant of the Ka-52 is "one of the single most influential Russian weapon systems" in Southern Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and a small number of new Ka-52M variants, carrying anti-tank missiles, have bolstered Russian forces in that region of the country.
Forces News reported earlier last month how the Ka-52 'Alligator', often compared to the Apache, can hit targets 10km away – beyond the range of Ukraine's portable air defence systems.
The threat imposed by the Russian aircraft led the Ukrainian media to nickname it 'Putin's vulture'.
In the latest defence update on Twitter, the MOD said as Ukrainian forces continue major offensive operations in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Ka-52 is key to Russian forces in the sector.
"Russia has highly likely lost around forty Ka-52s since the invasion, but the type has also imposed a heavy cost on Ukraine," the MOD tweeted.
"In recent months, Russia has highly likely augmented the force in the south with at least a small number of brand new, Ka-52M variants - a heavily modified aircraft, informed by lessons from Russia's experience in Syria."
The update also said the Ka-52 fleet now has a new anti-tank missile carried by the aircraft - the LMUR, which has a range of roughly 15km.
"Ka-52 crews have been quick to exploit opportunities to launch these weapons beyond the range of Ukrainian air defences," the MOD said.
Earlier this week, the MOD also said Russia had been attacking areas of southern Ukraine with an "unusual" number of missiles originally designed to destroy aircraft carriers.
The long-range strikes have been carried out with some 5-5-tonne AS-4 KITCHEN missiles, in the past week.
According to UK intelligence, the damage caused by the strikes has included grain silos at Chornomorsk Port, south of Odesa, as well as the historic city centre.
The MOD also warned there could be more violence in the Black Sea region as Russia’s Black Sea Fleet prepares to "enforce a blockade on Ukraine".
In an intelligence update, the MOD said the fleet has "altered its posture" since Moscow pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) which guaranteed Ukrainian grain to be safely exported through the sea for a year.
The MOD reports the Russian corvette Sergey Kotov has deployed to the southern Black Sea, patrolling a shipping lane between Odesa and the Bosphorus.
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