A Russian Kamov Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter has been shot down in eastern Ukraine, reportedly struck by a Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drone in the Donetsk region.

Footage released on Friday, shows operators from Ukraine’s “Predators of the Heights” Battalion, part of the 59th Separate Assault Brigade, successfully targeting the helicopter mid-operation. The strike marks the unit’s second reported downing of a helicopter using FPV drone technology.

According to reports, the incident occurred near Nadiivka, within the broader Pokrovsk axis—an area that has seen intensified fighting in recent months. Videos circulating online capture the attack from multiple angles, including footage from the drone’s perspective as it closes in on the low-flying aircraft, followed by images of the wreckage on the ground.

The Ka-52, considered one of Russia’s most advanced attack helicopters and estimated to cost around $16 million, was reportedly operating at low altitude when it was hit. Some sources suggest the crew may have survived the initial impact, but subsequent drone strikes were carried out, allegedly targeting the downed aircraft and its personnel.

The loss adds to a growing number of Ka-52 helicopters destroyed since the start of the war. Open-source intelligence trackers, including Oryx, estimate that more than 60 of these aircraft have been confirmed lost.

Military observers say the incident highlights the increasing effectiveness of low-cost drone systems in modern warfare. Ukrainian forces have continued to refine FPV drone tactics, enabling them to challenge even heavily armored and technologically advanced platforms such as attack helicopters.

The development underscores a broader shift in the conflict, where relatively inexpensive and adaptable drone technology is reshaping the battlefield and altering the balance between high-value military assets and asymmetric tactics. (ILKHA)