Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP, File
- Ka-52 attack helicopters have given Russia a strong advantage in Ukraine, the UK MOD said.
- Russia has now started using heavily modified versions of the aircraft in southern Ukraine, it said.
- And Russia is equipping its Ka-52s with anti-tank missiles that can fire up to nine miles, it said.
Russia has started using heavily modified Ka-52 attack helicopters and equipping its Ka-52 fleet with long-range anti-tank missiles that can get past Ukraine's air defenses, according to UK intelligence.
The UK Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update on Thursday that Russia has been using the Ka-52 attack helicopter against Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia.
The helicopters, known as the "Alligator" by Russia and "Hokum-B" by NATO, have been "one of the single most influential Russian weapon systems in the sector," it said.
According to the UK MOD, Russia has lost about 40 of the aircraft since it started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but the helicopters have "imposed a heavy cost on Ukraine."
Russia is now "highly likely" using a heavily modified version of the helicopter in Ukraine, it said, with the Ka-52M variant informed by "lessons from Russia's experience in Syria."
Meanwhile, Russia has improved its Ka-52 fleet by adding a new anti-tank missile, the LMUR, which has a range of about nine miles (15 kilometers), the MOD added.
The helicopter crews "have been quick to exploit opportunities to launch these weapons beyond the range of Ukrainian air defences," the MOD said, though it did not specify if the missiles have been added to the modified helicopters or the original versions.
Ukraine said it shot down one Ka-52 helicopter on Tuesday.
Dutch open-source intelligence group Oryx said that 38 Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters have been visually confirmed as lost since the start of the invasion.
Last month, the MOD said that the helicopters were giving Russia a "temporary advantage in southern Ukraine" because of their long-range missiles.
Insider reported in November 2022 that the helicopters had been used more than any other attack helicopter by Russia in its invasion. At that time, more than 25% of the Russian Air Force's in-service Ka-52 fleet had been shot down, the UK MOD said.
Ka-52s have so far been seen supporting Russian airborne forces, escorting Russian convoys, and conducting operations into territory controlled by Ukraine.