Ukraine is Absolutely Decimating Russia's Best Helicopters

To be honest, the Russian air force also uses a large number of other gunships, such as the more modern Mil Mi-28 and the vintage Mil Mi-24.

The Ka-52s are the only Russian attack helicopters, with the exception of a few modern Mi-28s, that can use the 90-pound Vikhr, the greatest anti-tank guided missile available to the air force.

The Vikhr, on the other hand, is one of the air force’s few dependable precision weapons.

In order to fire Vikhrs against Ukrainian tanks and combat vehicles, Russian leadership have dispatched Ka-52s into battle.
But for a Ka-52 crew, successfully using the missile is a frustrating experience.

Via social media, a Ukrainian missile crew hits a Russian Ka-52.

Attack helicopters are disappearing from the Russian air force at a pace that should worry Russian commanders and airmen.
And it is clear why.

Russian Kamov Ka-52 gunships must ascend and hover in order to fire their precision-guided missiles, making them conspicuous and exposed to Ukrainian missileers from great distances.

According to the U.K. Defense Ministry, Ukrainian man-portable air-defense systems have certainly caused substantial damage to Russian assault helicopters.

With around 100 of the twin-rotor, two-crew Ka-52 aircraft, the Russian air force started the larger conflict in Ukraine back in February.

Outside experts have confirmed that the military has written down at least 23 Kamov ‘copters, including at least two—and maybe many more—this month.

The most recent loss was officially reported on or around Monday.