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Russian KA-52 Dodges Ukrainian MANPADS
Published 2 months ago
This footage shows Russian rotary-wing assets prosecuting Ukrainian targets, although it is unclear which side the cameraman is on. At the approximate 0:25 mark, a Ukrainian missile nearly takes out the KA-52- the pilot appears to dodge it by the skin of his teeth, popping countermeasures as he banks. Tha KA-52 Chyornaya Akula (Blackfin Shark) is NATO-identified as "Hokum A" but both versions are referred to as "Alligator" which is actually a name for the two-seater variant "Hokum B." The KA-52 family of attack helicopters is most easily identified by the iconic coaxial rotors. Although Russia's helicopter forces are enjoying successes in Ukraine due to the Ukrainian's overall lack of SHORAD (short range air defense) systems, an independent source known as Oryx has visually confirmed 61 KA-52s destroyed or damaged as of August 2024.