'Putin's vulture': Why the Ka-52 attack helicopter is one of Russia's most influential weapon systems

• Russia's Ka-52 attack helicopter has been imposing a high cost on Ukraine's counteroffensive this summer.
• The threat imposed by the Russian aircraft led the Ukrainian media to nickname it "Putin's vulture."
• The Kremlin bills the Kamov Ka-52 as the "world's best helicopter gunship."

The Kamov Ka-52, an advanced Russian attack helicopter, has been touted by the Kremlin as the "world's best gunship," the Kyiv Post reported. The vehicle has been instrumental in Russia's attempts to thwart Ukraine's slow-moving counteroffensive, launched on June 4.