Ukrainian troops down Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter with Perun MANPADS
Russia's war against Ukraine - the main events of May 28
“Servicemen from the the artillery unit of the 95th Ranger Brigade of Ukraine’s Armed Forces shot down another military helicopter of Russian occupants – it was a Ka-52 Alligator,” reads a press release, which came with video footage.
Read also: Ukraine’s intel chief comments on helicopter missions to besieged Azovstal plant
So far, Ukrainian rangers have shot down 67 Russian aircraft, the release added.
Overall, the Ukrainian military claims to have shot down 170 Russian aircraft.
Read also: Video shows Russian helicopter wreck being extracted from the Kyiv Sea reservoir
The Ka-52 Alligator is a relatively new model of Russian helicopter, created in 2008, at the time of Russia’s invasion of Georgia. The helicopters are mostly used for combat, while most other Russian models focus on transporting paratroopers.
Read also: Russia advances in Donbas, deploys 15 helicopters in Luhansk Oblast
Ka-52 helicopters usually uses S-8 rockets to target any objects on land, whether personnel or equipment. However, they are also able to carry bombs, and missiles for air-to-air combat.
Read also: Russia claims Ukraine carried out helicopter airstrike on oil depot in Belgorod
In March, the Russian army used Ka-52 helicopters in a failed operation near Kyiv to establish control over Hostomel, a town with an airport to the north-west of Kyiv. The Ukrainian army used Stinger rocket-launchers to down at least two of the aircraft.
Russia is also using this type of helicopter in its offensive in the Donbas.
