Russia has said that its Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ attack helicopters have fired at Ukrainian military positions.
The footage appears to show one of the Russian aircraft being refuelled and replenished with ordnance before it can be seen spinning up its rotors and taking to the sky.
The images then show at least two of the Russian attack helicopters flying low over countryside before they can be seen unleashing their deadly ordnance on unseen targets.
The footage purports to show at least one of the helicopters then returning to base at an undisclosed location.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday, 29th March, along with a statement claiming: “The crews of Ka-52 helicopters continue to perform combat missions in the area of the special military operation.”
The Russian MoD added: “During the special military operation, the helicopter crews of the army aviation of the Western Military District continue to carry out the tasks of destroying armoured vehicles and military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, escorting military columns, delivering troops, military cargo, air support for units.
“All flights take place at extremely low altitude.
“When performing combat sorties, pilots of Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopters launched missiles at the discovered fortified strongholds and armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“When performing sorties, the pilots launch missiles at the discovered fortified strongholds and armoured vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Pilots approach the zone of combat use at an extremely low altitude with enveloping the terrain, which allows the crews to remain unnoticed by enemy air defence systems.
“‘Alligator’ strikes the enemy’s manpower with unguided missiles. The impact is recorded by an objective control camera.
“After the salvo – a sharp decrease in altitude. Change of course. More than 90 degrees. Brought to automatism, performed, not dozens, hundreds of times, a manoeuvre that saved dozens of lives of our pilots. A mixed group of helicopters led by an attack Ka-52, having completed the task, leaves for the jump airfield area.
“Upon returning to the base sites, the engineering and technical staff prepares aviation equipment for further combat work. Ammunition is replenished, heat traps are charged, fuel is poured. Helicopters must be in full readiness to perform the next combat missions.
“Each sortie of a helicopter strike group is not like the previous one. To confuse the enemy use – detour routes. And heat traps become decoys for enemy anti-aircraft missiles.
“The crew is warned of a possible attack by a defence complex installed on the helicopter. It also suppresses the homing heads of already-fired missiles.
“Manoeuverable, highly reliable, mobile. The Ka-52 reconnaissance and attack helicopter has no flaws. Each sortie is successful, and hits are always right on target. It simply has no equal in the sky.
“The Ka-52 can both protect – escort transport helicopters, and attack, inflicting surprise attacks on fortified areas and positions of nationalists, without even flying up to them. Attacks at a distance of several kilometres.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 399th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 29th March 2023, Russia had lost about 172,340 personnel, 3,609 tanks, 6,966 armoured combat vehicles, 2,659 artillery units, 526 multiple launch rocket systems, 277 air defence systems, 306 warplanes, 291 helicopters, 2,239 drones, 911 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,507 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 288 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Vitalii Barabash, the Ukrainian head of the Avdiivka military administration, has said that “more and more of the town is shelled and destroyed daily” and that the frontline town is effectively “being wiped off the face of the Earth”.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has said that the situation at Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in south-eastern Ukraine is unsafe and “very dangerous”, adding that military activity in the area had increased.
Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, has said that Ukraine is aiming to exhaust Russian forces trying to capture the small eastern city of Bakhmut while inflicting heavy losses on them.
The commander added that Russia was continuing to focus on the city and the area around it despite having been unable to take it after months of battle.
The German Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a much-awaited shipment of 18 Leopard 2 main battle tanks has arrived in Ukraine as part of a deal under which European Union countries will contribute tanks to form two battalions.
The United States has promised 31 American-made Abrams tanks.
Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Oleksii Reznikov, has said that the first British Challenger 2 main battle tanks have also arrived in the country and will soon start carrying out combat missions.
Alexei Moskalyov, a Russian father who was investigated by the police after his daughter Maria, 12, drew a picture showing a Russian plane bombing a family in Ukraine, has reportedly been sentenced to two years in a penal colony.
But Russian officials said on Tuesday that the 54-year-old had fled house arrest, with his whereabouts currently unknown.
The International Olympic Committee has said that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be allowed to compete under a neutral flag.
Germany’s Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, said the decision was “a slap in the face for Ukrainian athletes”.
