A significant loss has struck the Russian military as another Ka-52 Alligator helicopter has crashed near the Ukraine-Russia border. The incident remains shrouded in mystery, but the ramifications are clear, given the $16 million value of this advanced attack helicopter.
Confirmed by Multiple Sources
According to Tech the news of the crash was first reported by Anton Gerashchenko on the platform X (formerly Twitter), and it has since been corroborated by Russian bloggers.
The Ka-52 Alligator went down on the border between Russia’s Kursk Oblast and Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast. Unconfirmed reports suggest that one pilot perished while the other sustained injuries.
There are speculations that the helicopter may have been shot down by Ukrainian forces amidst ongoing skirmishes in the region.
These clashes reportedly also resulted in the destruction of two Russian vehicles and two T-62 tanks. While the T-62 tanks are outdated and not highly valued militarily or financially, the loss of the modern Ka-52 Alligator represents a significant blow.
Details of the Ka-52 Alligator
The Ka-52 Alligator is a two-seater attack helicopter, designed in the 1980s but produced since 2008. It weighs approximately 8 tons and can be heavily armed, featuring a 30mm automatic cannon and capable of carrying various missiles, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank guided missiles with ranges of up to 20 kilometers.
According to Łukasz Michalik from Wirtualna Polska, the war in Ukraine has led to considerable Russian losses of these helicopters, especially during the early stages of the conflict. Over time, Russia has adapted its tactics and deployed upgraded versions of the Ka-52, which has somewhat mitigated their losses.
