Russian helicopters shift tactics, intensify threat in Ukraine

Russia has deployed 225 attack helicopters of various types to fight in Ukraine, claims Janes Defence. This number includes 95 Mi-24 and Mi-35 helicopters, 75 Ka-52s, and 55 Mi-28 helicopters. This constitutes about two-thirds of all combat-ready helicopters (340 units) that the Russian army had at its disposal.

So far, according to Oryx's data, the destruction of at least 18 Mi-24/35 helicopters, 64 Ka-52s, and 16 Mi-28 helicopters—a total of 98 units—has been documented. According to the statistics, the oldest and most numerous models, developed in the 1960s and sometimes referred to as "devil's chariots," are proportionally the least destroyed.

Attention is also drawn to the significant losses among the most technologically advanced Ka-52 helicopters. It is difficult to determine whether this results from the particular vulnerability of these machines or from deploying them in the most difficult and risky tasks.

Western experts also note that Russian helicopters, which were relatively easy targets for Ukrainians at the beginning of the war, have over time become a "true nightmare" for them. This is due to changes in Russian tactics, which have made these helicopters very difficult to shoot down.

The effects of this tactical shift could be observed during the failed Ukrainian offensive, when Russian attack helicopters were used as mobile launchers for guided anti-tank missiles.

They operated many miles from the front line, over their own formations, where they were inaccessible to Ukrainian MANPADS (man-portable air-defense systems, such as the FIM-92 Stinger or PPZR Piorun). At the same time, thanks to the range of their guided anti-tank missiles, they were able to effectively target Ukrainian vehicles.