Russia gains advantage thanks to attack helicopters
According to an intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense on June 17, Russia has significantly increased its attack helicopter capabilities since Ukraine began its counter-offensive campaign in the south.
In addition, the British Ministry of Defense report also said that satellite images provided evidence of more than 20 Russian helicopters appearing at Berdyansk Airport, about 100km from the front line in southern Ukraine.
“In the air combat between the two sides, Russia may have gained the advantage over Ukraine in the south, particularly with attack helicopters using longer-range missiles against ground targets,” the British Ministry of Defense said.
Satellite imagery published on Planet Labs on June 13 shows that Russia deployed 20 new helicopters to Berdyansk Airport between May 31 and June 13, coinciding with the start of Ukraine’s counteroffensive operations.
Accordingly, there are a total of 27 helicopters of the Russian force present at the airport, including a squadron with 5 Ka-52 helicopters, 9 Mi-8 or Mi-24 helicopters and 13 Ka-29 helicopters.
Military expert Anatoliy Khrapchynskyi explained that the majority of helicopters seen at Berdyansk Airport are used to support Russian ground forces and strengthen defenses against a Ukrainian counterattack.
Mr. Khrapchynskyi emphasized that the Mi-8 helicopter can perform various tasks, including evacuation operations and rapid deployment of soldiers or equipment near the battlefield.
Some experts believe that Berdyansk Airport is likely to be used by the Russian military as an operational base to deploy army aviation units from the Crimean Peninsula.
The power of the Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter
According to many sources, in response to Ukraine's launch of counter-offensive operations, Russia has increased its air force near the front line.
Russia's deployment of attack helicopters shows Moscow is on higher alert for a Ukrainian counterattack.
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter is part of the Russian Air Force operating near the front line. The Ka-52 is a Russian multi-role attack helicopter that is effective in all weather conditions, day and night.
Ka-52 helicopters have been widely used in air support missions for Russian forces since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine. However, Russia has also suffered many losses in the number of Ka-52 helicopters during the military operation in Ukraine.
According to open source intelligence analysis, Russia has lost a total of 35 Ka-52 helicopters since the conflict began, demonstrating the significant impact the Ka-52 has and the risks associated with its operational deployment.
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator is known as Russia's "top tank killer" for its effectiveness in disabling enemy tanks on the battlefield.
The Russian side said that the Ka-52 helicopters have been very effective on the battlefield when launching missiles that destroyed dozens of Ukrainian armored vehicles in Zaporizhzhia as well as other areas in the East.
Most recently, a video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense shows that a Russian Ka-52 helicopter shot down two Ukrainian armored vehicles with Vikhr missiles.
In addition to the Ka-52, Russian attack helicopters participating in the special military operation include the Mi-24 Hind, Mi-28N and Mi-28NM Havoc. The sharp increase in the number of helicopters near the front line shows that Russia is stepping up efforts to prevent Ukraine's counterattack.
Experts assess that the current situation on the battlefield in Ukraine has created an opportunity for the Ka-52 and other Russian attack helicopters to demonstrate their ability to deter the enemy.
In addition, Ukraine's lack of mobile short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems in the frontline area created a gap in its defense shield against Russia, allowing the Ka-52 to operate more safely.
SHORAD is a system used to protect combat units near the front line against aerial threats, such as low-flying fighter jets, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles.
In addition, Russian helicopters can operate at low altitudes, take advantage of terrain and operate mainly at night, helping to reduce vulnerability to threats such as SHORAD./.
Mai Trang/VOV.VN
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