A Russian Ka-52M helicopter mistakenly attacked a column of its own military vehicles in the Kursk region, leading to the destruction of two advanced Russian 2S19M2 Msta-S howitzers.
A Misidentification
According to Tech the incident reportedly occurred due to a misidentification by the helicopter crew, who believed they were engaging a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group.
Initial reports on Russian Telegram channels celebrated the supposed successful strike against Ukrainian forces, but these posts quickly disappeared as the reality of the situation became clear.
The Ukrainian side has since circulated remnants of these reports, highlighting the friendly fire incident.
A Significant Loss
The Russian Ka-52M, an advanced version of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, is a formidable piece of military hardware, equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon and capable of carrying a variety of missiles, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank projectiles.
Despite its cutting-edge technology, the helicopter's crew tragically targeted their own forces.
The destruction of the 2S19M2 Msta-S howitzers is a significant loss for the Russian military. Introduced in 2013, these self-propelled artillery systems are among the most modern in the Russian arsenal and are considered a potential threat to NATO forces.
The 152mm guns of the Msta-S have a range of up to 29 kilometers and a rate of fire of up to 10 rounds per minute, superior to their older counterparts.
