Russia has lost 23 Kamov Ka-50 helicopters since it invaded Ukraine in February, representing about a quarter of its fleet of 90 Ka-50s, the British Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
In an update to the daily report on the war in Ukraine, British military intelligence said there were verified losses.
dthey also stated that the 23 Ka-50s in question correspond to about half of the helicopters already lost by Russia in Ukraine.
For British experts, Russian helicopters have been shown to be vulnerable to the portable air defense systems of the Ukrainian armed forces, as they provide less cover than fighter jets, as “would be expected under Russian military doctrine”.
“Russia is still unable to maintain sufficient air superiority” allowing it to “guarantee firm and effective support close to the front line, and its artillery ammunition is running out,” the British Defense Forces said.
In the opinion of London experts, “Russian commanders are likely to increasingly turn to “risky helicopter missions” as one of the few means available to closely support troops in combat.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 this year and plunged Europe into what is considered the worst security crisis since World War II (1939-1945).
After initial gains by Russian forces, Ukraine received aid in military equipment from its Western allies, allowing it to launch a counter-offensive recently.
Ukraine is claiming territorial gains in various parts of the country, including regions illegally annexed by Russia.
On September 30, Moscow officially annexed Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporijia, in a decision not recognized by Kiev or the international community at large.
Russia had previously annexed the Ukrainian peninsula Crimea in 2014.
The balance of civilian and military casualties in the Ukrainian war is unknown, but several sources, including the UN, have admitted it will be significantly high.
Both sides have announced successes of their armed forces almost daily, but the information cannot be independently verified immediately.
Source: DN
