These images purport to show Russian Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ attack helicopters firing S-8 unguided missiles at a Ukrainian fortified position.

The footage shows three Russian attack helicopters preparing for takeoff before taking to the skies.

The video then shows the helicopters flying low over countryside before one unleashes S-8 unguided missiles at unseen targets.

The footage then shows at least one of the helicopters coming in to land back at base as the footage ends.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, 2nd January, along with a statement saying: “An aviation strike group of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) hit enemy strongholds and manpower in the Krasnolimansk direction. The strike was carried out by S-8 unguided aircraft missiles (UAR) from as close as possible.

“The strike group included several Ka-52 Alligator reconnaissance and attack helicopters.

Russia Says Its Ka-52 Attack Helicopters Wiped Out Ukrainian Command Post And Armour In Donetsk

“‘Today we carried out a combat mission to destroy enemy strongholds and manpower. During the air strike, the targets were hit, according to air controllers. The mission also carried out during an anti-missile manoeuvre. The onboard defence system also did not disappoint and worked on time. Then we returned to the place of deployment. all systems worked properly. The car shows itself in a good way. The enemy will be defeated. Victory will be ours.’ – the Ka-52 attack pilot with the call sign ‘PSYH’ spoke about the next flight’.”

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 678th day of the full-scale war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 2nd January 2024, Russia had lost approximately 360,820 personnel, 5,990 tanks, 11,100 armoured combat vehicles, 8,531 artillery units, 945 multiple launch rocket systems, 626 air defence systems, 329 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 6,710 drones, 1,710 cruise missiles, 23 warships, 1 submarine, 11,365 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,284 units of special equipment.

Russia Says Its Ka-52 Alligator Attack Helicopters Fired Rockets At Ukrainian Fortified Position

Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv following a drone assault, as reported by the capital’s military administration.

This escalation follows Ukrainian strikes on the Russian city of Belgorod.

Earlier, Russia had deployed 35 attack drones on Ukraine, all destroyed by air defence systems, causing a fire in Kyiv’s Desnianskyi district.

The death toll from Ukrainian strikes on Belgorod has risen to 25, with a four-year-old girl among the casualties.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia deployed 35 attack drones on Ukraine on Monday; all were successfully destroyed by Ukraine’s air defence.

Downed drone debris ignited a residential building fire in Kyiv, raising concerns about the aftermath of the drone attack, as reported by Ukrainian officials.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated on Telegram that the city’s loud explosions resulted from air defence systems repelling an attack.

Russia Says It Took Out Ukrainian Tank With Ka-52 Attack Helicopter

Falling drone debris sparked a fire in Desnianskyi, Kyiv’s most populous district on the east bank of the Dnipro River.

Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, reported that emergency services responded to the Holosiivskyi district on the west bank of the Dnipro, but no immediate casualties were reported.

Russian drones targeted a university and a museum associated with key figures in Ukrainian national identity on Monday.

The National Agrarian University, near Lviv, linked to Ukrainian hero Stepan Bandera, faced damage to windows and its roof.

A nearby museum dedicated to Roman Shukhevych also ravaged.

Despite the destruction, locals expressed determination to repair the historically significant sites,

The attacks underscore tensions and cultural symbolism amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russian claims that Moscow was winning the war, describing it as a mere “feeling” and claimed Moscow is facing significant battlefield losses.

In an interview with The Economist, Zelensky did not provide specific evidence but outlined Ukraine’s 2024 priorities, including targeting Russia’s strengths in Crimea and defending key cities on the eastern front.

He rejected the idea of Moscow being interested in peace talks, citing ongoing aerial strikes as evidence, and characterised Russia’s actions as those of a “terrorist country.”