Russian troops suppress Ukraine's counteroffensive with new attack helicopters – UK Intelligence
Фото: гелікоптер Ка-52 (wikipedia)
Russia has committed new attack helicopters as Ukraine's counteroffensive on the southern front continues, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry intelligence update on July 27.
Despite the efforts, there is evidence Russia is using a small number of new Ka-52M helicopters, which are "heavily modified" versions of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters.
The update states that evidence of this includes photos on social media of Russian aircrew posing next to the new aircraft.
In recent months, Russia has highly likely augmented the force in the south with at least a small number of brand new, Ka-52M variants: a heavily modified aircraft, informed by lessons from Russia's experience in Syria, the report says.
The New York Times reported the "main thrust" of Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive is currently in the southeast and that Ukraine will now deploy thousands of Western-trained reinforcements previously held in reserve.
The Ukrainian army's counter-offensive began in early June. So far, the advance has been slow due to Russian minefields, tank barriers, and other defenses.
The Ka-52 helicopter is designed for reconnaissance, targeting, and coordination of a group of combat helicopters. Ukrainian troops have already destroyed over 300 military helicopters of the occupying country.
Representative of the General Staff Oleksii Hromov stated that Russia had lost five times as many helicopters in Ukraine as it had during the two wars of aggression in Chechnya (Ichkeria).
