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Ukrainian HIMARS Destroys Four Russian Helicopters in Belgorod, Causing $52 Million Loss

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Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
Author
Ukrainian HIMARS Destroys Four Russian Helicopters in Belgorod, Causing $52 Million Loss
Russian Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopter fly during the annual Army Games defense technology international exhibition. (Source: Getty Images)

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO), in coordination with the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), Rocket Forces, and Artillery, destroyed four Russian helicopters—two Ka-52 attack helicopters and two Mi-8 transport helicopters—in Russia’s Belgorod region, the SSO reported on March 24.

A HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system was used to eliminate the four helicopters while they were parked at a field airstrip, where they were undergoing maintenance, rearming, and refueling.

Ukrainian SSO successfully identified the target site, and its coordinates were relayed to the HIMARS unit in cooperation with HUR.

M30A2 rockets were used to destroy the Russian aircraft. Each missile is equipped with 180,000 tungsten pellets, which surround a 23 kg explosive charge. Upon impact, this payload not only obliterates the primary target but also inflicts significant damage within a 70-meter radius, making it highly effective against concentrated enemy forces and equipment.

Russian Air Force Mi-8 and Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopter fly during the annual Army Games defense technology international exhibition. (Source: Getty Images)
Russian Air Force Mi-8 and Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopter fly during the annual Army Games defense technology international exhibition. (Source: Getty Images)

The Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopters, valued at $16 million each, are among Russia’s most advanced combat helicopters. They are actively used in air strikes against Ukrainian forces, with some models equipped with LMUR missiles—precision-guided weapons with a 15-kilometer range that allow them to strike from a safe distance beyond Ukraine’s air defenses.

The Mi-8 transport helicopters, each costing around $10 million, are crucial to Russia’s military logistics and troop deployments.

This $52 million loss further weakens Russia’s army aviation capabilities, which have already suffered heavy setbacks. According to the independent monitoring project Oryx, Russia has lost at least 63 Ka-52s and 46 Mi-8s since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Analysis of the strike footage suggests that the airstrip was either a temporary refueling and rearming point or a regularly used Russian field airbase. Tire tracks visible in the video indicate that the helicopters were either fully fueled and armed or that the site sees frequent operational use.

Earlier, reports emerged that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s Air Force destroyed more than 26,500 aerial threats, including over 700 Russian aircraft. According to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this figure includes 370 fixed-wing aircraft and 331 helicopters.

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