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Kyiv Deploys Portuguese Ka-32 Helicopter After Russian Drones Set City Ablaze

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Ivan Khomenko
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Kyiv Deploys Portuguese Ka-32 Helicopter After Russian Drones Set City Ablaze
Firefighting helicopter operates over Kyiv as smoke rises after a Russian drone strike, June 10, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES) deployed a Portuguese-supplied Ka-32 helicopter to assist in extinguishing fires caused by a Russian drone attack on Kyiv overnight.

The helicopter was seen operating over the capital on June 10, releasing water over fire sites using an external firefighting bucket system, as shown in footage published by Suspilne.

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The Ka-32 is equipped with a specialized bucket suspended beneath its fuselage for transporting and discharging water or fire retardants. It is among six multipurpose helicopters pledged to Ukraine by Portugal.

The first units were delivered disassembled by truck in late 2023 after delays related to government changes in Lisbon.

Emergency Service helicopter battles fire after Russian attack on Kyiv, June 10, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)
Emergency Service helicopter battles fire after Russian attack on Kyiv, June 10, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Portugal initially announced plans to transfer the Ka-32 helicopters to Ukraine in 2022. These aircraft were originally acquired in 2006 by Portugal’s Ministry of Internal Administration for use in firefighting and civil protection missions.

Due to sanctions, Portugal was no longer able to service the helicopters, which are based on the Soviet-designed military Ka-27 and capable of performing a range of tasks including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, cargo transport, and construction support.

Although the decision to transfer the helicopters was made early, the actual delivery was delayed by nearly two years. The final shipment was sent on September 6, 2024, after a prolonged period of negotiations and political transitions in Portugal.

One of the six helicopters had previously sustained damage in a 2012 incident and is believed to be suitable only as a source of spare parts. The remaining aircraft were delivered in their existing condition, and their operational status remains unclear.

According to the SES, the drone attack caused multiple fires and infrastructure damage in Kyiv.

The city’s military administration confirmed that debris from intercepted drones struck both residential and non-residential structures across seven districts: Desnianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Podilskyi, Darnytskyi, Obolonskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Solomianskyi.

Four civilians were injured and hospitalized as a result of the attack.

Military Administration head Tymur Tkachenko stated that several high-rise buildings and private homes suffered partial structural damage, and fires were reported in vehicles, warehouses, and business centers.

In Holosiivskyi district, a business center was damaged; in Obolonskyi, warehouse fires broke out; and in Solomianskyi, drone debris landed on the roof of a residential building.

Emergency response teams continue to work at the affected sites.

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