Ka-52 Alligator. Photo: Wikimedia
The Russian Aerospace Forces suffered another significant loss with the destruction of a Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, as reported by pro-Russian channels on Telegram. The incident occurred on the afternoon of December 18, but the circumstances and location of the accident remain unknown.
+ Click here to watch the video
As is common in similar situations, initial reports from Russian sources attribute the incident to “friendly fire” caused by their own air defense. So far, there has been no official confirmation from the Ukrainian General Staff or the Ukrainian Air Force about any involvement in the attack.
History of Losses
The Ka-52 “Alligator,” widely used by the Russian military as its main attack helicopter, has suffered significant losses since the start of the large-scale war in Ukraine. According to the independent open-source intelligence monitoring project Oryx OSINT, at least 62 Ka-52 units have been destroyed or damaged during the conflict.
This is not the first time the Russians have reported the loss of a Ka-52 helicopter. In early November, a similar incident was recorded, although at that time, one of the crew members managed to eject and survive.
Ka-52: Power and Vulnerability
Ka-52 Alligator. Photo: Wikimedia
The Ka-52 Alligator is known for its ability to perform precision attack operations and for its advanced technology, making it a central element in Russia’s air strategy. However, its intensive use in combat against Ukrainian forces has exposed significant vulnerabilities, making it a frequent target of air defenses and strategic actions on the battlefield.
The continued increase in losses not only indicates the intensity of the battles but also highlights the difficulties Russia faces in maintaining air superiority in an increasingly asymmetric war scenario.
Photos: Wikimedia / flickr. Source: mil.in.ua. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
