File image.
Russian attack helicopters continue to hunt down Ukrainian troops and equipment across the special military operation zone.
Videos posted to social networks between March 19 and 29 showed at least seven recent strikes carried out by Ka-52 and Mi-28N attack helicopters. The strikes destroyed five vehicles, including two American-made M2A2 ODS Bradley infantry vehicles, in addition to a fortified position and a gathering of troops. Most of the targets were hit with 9K121 Vikhr guided missiles,
The Vikhr, which was developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau, is guided by laser-beam riding. The missile’s unique guidance system makes it immune to known jamming systems and most counter-measures.
The 380 mm missile has a range of up to 12 kilometers and is armed with a 8–12 kg tandem HEAT [high-explosive anti-tank] charge that can defeat reactive armour and penetrate 1,000 mm of rolled homogeneous armour. It can be fired singly or in pairs at the same target to increase lethality.
When the special military operation began more than three years ago, only Ka-52 helicopters were capable of firing the Vikhr. Last year however, Mi-28N helicopters were upgraded to carry the lethal missile.
The Russian military has been relying on attack helicopters to provide its troops with close air support since the start of the special operation.
Attack helicopters like the Ka-52 and Mi-28N played an especially important role in foiling the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive and the 2024 incursion into the Kursk region.
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