The video was captured in a field near Robotyne, in the Zaporizhzhia region (Picture: east2west)
This is the dramatic moment an advanced Russian attack helicopter, dubbed the ‘Alligator’, is downed by Ukraine’s forces.
Footage shows the successful attack using a portable anti-aircraft missile launcher dispatched by the Swedish army.
A Ukrainian fighter can be heard ordering ‘Shoot’ and just seconds later a jubilant voice yells ‘Got him’.
Costing upwards of £12.5 million, the Ka-52 – hailed by the Kremlin as ‘the world’s best helicopter gunship’ – can be seen plunging to the ground in a fireball.
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A video of the aftermath shows fire and smoke spewing from the downed aircraft.
The incident is reported to have happened in August at a field near the recently-liberated Robotyne, in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Footage from Telegram channel War Gonzo showed how – as the ‘Alligator’ was in flames in a field – a Russian transport helicopter flew close and landed.
The pilot was able to run with two rescuers intohelicopter even as thick black smoke poured from his aircraft.
Ukraine used a Swedish portable anti-aircraft missile launcher (Picture: east2west)
A Kamov Ka-52 Alligator military helicopter (Picture: AFP)
‘Immediately after the crash of the helicopter at the site moved an Mi-28, which surveyed the area, established the location of the survivor and sent a signal for evacuation,’ said the channel.
’A short time later, a transport helicopter landed on the field and picked up the pilot.’
The Ka-52 is capable of eliminating ground targets such as tanks, armored and unarmored vehicles and slow-moving airborne targets, according to Airforce Technology.
As troops inch closer to the frontline as part of the three-month counteroffensive, their effectiveness has been thrust into the spotlight.
Ukrainian forces reported the downing of two ‘Alligators’, one near Robytyne, and the other in the vicinity of Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region.
Altogether Russia is believed to have lost nine such strike helicopters in the war with Ukraine.
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