This is the moment a Russian attack helicopter allegedly wipes out two Ukrainian tanks in quick succession using missiles.
The images were obtained on 15th June from the Russian Ministry of Defence, which wrote: “The Ka-52 crew repelled an attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in South Donetsk direction and destroyed two tanks which were firing at the positions of the Russian troops.
“Both enemy vehicles were destroyed along with their crews.”
The Russian claims have not been independently verified, but the grainy footage does, indeed, appear to show two tanks being hit and billowing smoke seconds apart.
The Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” is a two-seat variant of the Kamov Ka-50 “Black Shark” – a Soviet/Russian attack helicopter designed in the 1980s and adopted for service in the Russian army in 1995.
Both Ukraine and Russia currently control parts of Donetsk Oblast, with the front line passing through the region.
Manufacturing of the first Ka-52 airframe began in mid-1996, and series production was started in autumn 2008. Its only two operators are believed to be Egypt and Russia.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 15th June 2023, Russia had lost about 218,500 personnel, 3,965 tanks, 7,683 armoured combat vehicles, 3,812 artillery units, 606 multiple launch rocket systems, 364 air defence systems, 314 warplanes, 301 helicopters, 3,357 drones, 1,199 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 6,519 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 519 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Ukrainian General Staff spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun has reported that Ukrainian forces conducted successful operations north and north-west of Bakhmut, with more than 30 clashes taking place on 15th June.
Ukrainian Ground Forces commander Oleksandr Syrskyi has said that Russia is continuing to move its most capable units towards Bakhmut and is conducting air strikes on Ukrainian positions.
According to Syrskyi, Ukrainian troops are continuing to carry out offensives in order to gradually displace the Russian army from in and around the city.
According to the Deputy Chief of Ukraine’s General Staff, Oleksii Hromov, there are no signs of Russia preparing for another large-scale mobilisation.
Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said on 14th June that the Ukrainian army is suffering fewer losses than Russia, “despite the fake news spread by the Russians suggesting otherwise”.
According to a statement from Ukraine’s National Resistance Centre, 150 children have been illegally taken from Luhansk Oblast to Prikubansky District, southern Russia.
At least 19,393 children are known to have been illegally taken to Russia since the start of the invasion.
