A Russian Ka-52 “Hokum” attack helicopter has crashed, killing both crew members, according to pro-Kremlin media reports on Saturday morning.
“For reasons not related to enemy fire, we lost two young but already very experienced men and a Ka-52,” — one outlet reported, saying the accident occurred “for reasons not related to enemy fire.”
Multiple Russian sources claimed the helicopter went down in a combat zone after losing orientation in poor weather. Flying at an extremely low altitude, the aircraft reportedly struck the ground during the return phase of its mission.
The Ka-52, known to NATO as “Hokum-B,” has been a core component of Russia’s rotary-wing close air support fleet throughout the war in Ukraine. The aircraft, designed for reconnaissance and attack operations, is capable of carrying anti-tank missiles, rockets, and cannon armament.
However, the Ka-52 fleet has suffered extensive losses since the start of the invasion. Open-source intelligence assessments indicate that at least 64 Ka-52s have been destroyed, abandoned, or captured, reflecting the high operational risk faced by Russian aircrews.
The helicopter’s frequent use near the front lines and exposure to modern Ukrainian air defenses, including portable surface-to-air missile systems and long-range anti-aircraft systems, has made it one of the most vulnerable helicopters in Russia’s inventory.