In a recent video sequence that went viral today, it can be seen how the Russian Armed Forces continue to use their Ka-52 attack helicopters to combat Ukrainian drones—unmanned systems that for months have been targeting various strategic objectives deep within Russia.
As shown in the footage shared by the Telegram channel Fighterbomber, during a recent massive drone attack originating from Ukraine, a Ka-52 attack helicopter was forced to fire up to three 9M39 Igla air-to-air missiles in order to shoot down the unmanned aerial vehicle. The Russian Armed Forces are using all available means to counter this threat, which continues to inflict severe damage on local critical infrastructure.
The successive failure of the first two missiles is due to the fact that the air-to-air variant of the 9M39 is equipped with IMP and GRZ fuzes, meaning the projectile will only detonate upon direct or glancing impact. Although the missiles appeared to lock onto the drone’s heat signature, the lack of a proximity fuze significantly limits their effectiveness against such a small target.
The involvement of attack helicopters like the Ka-52 in counter-drone defense tasks has become routine, mirroring the role that Russia’s rotary-wing assets have been playing for months. These aircraft are likely part of one of the many defensive rings set up around high-value targets, working in coordination with air defense systems and other resources.
However, their presence on Russian territory means that Ka-52 attack helicopters are not providing support to frontline units, indicating a reallocation of resources in response to the threat posed by drones—a situation mirrored in Ukraine. It’s also true that the conditions on the front lines, including air defense systems and FPV drones, have made the survival of Russian attack helicopters increasingly precarious.
Cover image for illustrative purposes. Credit: RIA Novosti.
You may also like: The downing of a Su-35S fighter jet of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Ukraine has been confirmed
