Latest news with #SpecialOperationsForces'
Newsweek
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ukraine Destroys $16M Russian 'Alligator' Helicopter in Drone Strike
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Russian attack helicopter was downed by a Ukrainian drone, according to Kyiv's military. Ukraine's Special Operations Forces said it had successfully targeted the Russian Ka-52 "Alligator" helicopter, worth an estimated $16 million, over Ukrainian territory, posting video of what it said showed the strike. Newsweek has been unable to verify the footage and has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment. A Russian Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" military attack helicopter is pictured at the Dubai Airshow on November 13, 2023. A Russian Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" military attack helicopter is pictured at the Dubai Airshow on November 13, 2023. GIUSEPPE CACACE//Getty Images Why It Matters Ukraine has used drones to considerable effect on the front line, causing Russia to face high losses of troops and equipment. The strike on a Russian helicopter further demonstrates these capabilities. What To Know Ukraine's Special Operations Forces' Bombus Balista unit said it had conducted a successful strike on a Russian Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopter using an FPV (first person view) drone. A video posted on social media appears to show the drone targeting the helicopter as it is on combat patrol over Ukrainian territory. No date or specific location was given for the operation. The post described it as a calculated strike that added to the further attrition of Russian aerial assets. ❗️A Ukrainian FPV drone hit a Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopter. The helicopter is worth about $16 million. Glory! — Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) May 16, 2025 In May 2024, Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Ka-52 "Alligator" helicopter. On February 7 this year, another Ka-52 with its crew was taken down by a shoulder-launched MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense System) near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, according to Ukraine's United24 Media. Missiles and drones launched by Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have struck other high-value Russian military assets, according to reports, including a $45 million Russian Buk-M3 surface-to-air missile system in May and a rare Uragan multiple launch rocket system, United 24 Media reported. On Saturday, Ukrainian security service drones struck an ammunition depot used by Russia's 126th Coastal Defense Brigade in the southern Crimean Peninsula, causing a large explosion and fire, according to the Kyiv Independent citing an unnamed security official. The depot, located near a key highway between Simferopol and Alushta on the occupied peninsula, housed military equipment, ammunition and fuel storage facilities. What People Are Saying Ukraine's Special Operations Forces' Bombus Balista unit: "The Ka-52 attempted a combat patrol over Ukrainian fields, but did not anticipate the presence of our tactical drone group 'Bombus.'" What Happens Next President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in April that his country would step up production of long-range drones and ground-based robotic systems. Ukraine's drone campaign targeting Russian military facilities continues apace and following the strike on Crimea, Ukraine's Security Service told the Kyiv Independent "efforts to degrade (Russia's) military capabilities will continue."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine reports destroying Russian Buk air defense system, Uragan rocket launcher
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces' attack drones destroyed a Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system and a Uragan-1 multiple launch rocket system (MLSR), the military branch reported on May 13. During reconnaissance in an unspecified front-line sector, Special Operations Forces' operators detected the Buk-M3 and the Uragan-1 on combat duty, the unit said. Ukrainian forces then launched attack drones and hit the targets, destroying the Buk-M3 system with an estimated value of $45 million, as well as its ammunition. The statement did not specify the time of the attack. 0:00 / 1× The Buk-M3 is one of Russia's key air defense assets, used to engage targets in the air, on the ground, and on the water, according to Ukraine's Special Operations Forces. The Soviet-era Buk surface-to-air missile systems are used both by Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine inherited Buk anti-aircraft systems from the Soviet Union, but the weapons typically use Russian-produced missiles. In 2023, Ukraine announced it had converted the systems to fire U.S. missiles. The Uragan-1 is a Russian multi-caliber rocket launcher with the ability to swap launch containers. It operates with calibers of 200 and 300 mm. Read also: 'Like a game of tennis' — Russia, Ukraine court Trump to avoid being blamed for peace talks failure We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kyiv's Special Forces report raid on Russian positions in Kursk Oblast, dispute Moscow's claim of recapture
Ukrainian special forces from the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center conducted a raid on Russian positions in Kursk Oblast, capturing two Russian soldiers, the Special Operations Forces' press service reported on April 27. "While the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (Valery) Gerasimov reports the 'liberation' of Kursk Oblast from Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces, operatives of the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center continue to carry out missions in the area successfully," the statement said. During the operation, a unit from Russia's 810th Marine Brigade was targeted and destroyed, the Ukrainian military claims. Ukrainian special forces captured two soldiers during the mission; one was evacuated on a stretcher, while the other was able to walk, the military said. The Kyiv Independent could not immediately confirm the claims. On April 27, the acting commander of Russia's 810th Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "scattered groups and individual soldiers" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fighting in Kursk Oblast "will soon be destroyed." The statement contradicted an earlier claim by Gerasimov that Russian forces have fully recaptured the territory of Kursk Oblast, the Russian border region partially held by Ukraine since last August. Read also: North Korea confirms for first time it has deployed troops to fight alongside Russia in Kursk Oblast We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
