These images purport to show Russian Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ attack helicopters firing rockets at a Ukrainian fortified position.
The footage shows one of the Russian attack helicopters preparing for takeoff before it is seen spinning up its rotors and taking to the skies along with a second helicopter.
The video then shows the helicopter flying low over countryside before it unleashes a salvo of rockets at unseen targets and takes a base of action.
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 (MoD) on Monday, 20th November, along with a statement claiming (in English): “Eyes and ears of aviation.
“The work of air controllers is especially dangerous, so they rarely fall into the lenses of cameras, but the accuracy of aviation strikes and the safety of crews depend on these fighters.”
The Russian MoD added: “Today, specialists of the Tsentr Group of Forces provided guidance for ground-attack and army aviation to launch a strike on enemy positions in Krasny Liman direction.
“Having received the location data from the air controllers, the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters fired 80-mm unguided rockets against a long-term stronghold of the AFU.
“The strikes were launched in a pullup manoeuvre in which the nose of a combat vehicle rises above the horizon, which allows to increase the range of the missile without entering the range of enemy air defence systems.”
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 636th day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 21st November 2023, Russia had lost about 319,610 personnel, 5,439 tanks, 10,174 armoured combat vehicles, 7,752 artillery units, 899 multiple launch rocket systems, 588 air defence systems, 323 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,771 drones, 1,564 cruise missiles, 22 warships, 1 submarine, 10,134 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,098 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced the Pentagon will send Ukraine an additional USD 100 million in weapons from existing US stockpiles, including artillery and air defence munitions.
He made the announcement during an unannounced visit to Kyiv where he met the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and Chief of Staff General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
Austin said that Ukraine’s effort to defeat the invading Russian forces “matters to the rest of the world”, adding that American support would continue “for the long haul”.
Ukrainian forces were battling to contain escalating Russian attacks on Monday around the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut.
Volodymyr Fityo, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said Russian troops were focusing their attacks on Klishchiivka, a nearby village that was retaken by Ukrainian forces in September.
Russia has placed Ukrainian singer Susana Jamaladinova, known as Jamala, who won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, on its wanted list.
