Ukrainian drone operators have carried out a rare and highly symbolic strike against russian army aviation, reportedly hitting the Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter with an FPV drone in Donetsk region. The incident highlights the continued evolution of low-cost drone warfare against high-value airborne targets.
According to information released on March 20 by Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert Brovdi, pilots from the 1st Battalion of the 59th Brigade successfully engaged the helicopter using a fiber-optic FPV drone. The strike reportedly took place near the village of Nadiivka.
Read more: Ukrainian Lasar's Group Destroys 6 BM-21 Grad MLRS, Wiping Out Battalion on the Pokrovsk Axis (Video)
The drone was operated by the Baltyka crew, which managed to guide the munition directly into the helicopter. Unlike conventional radio-controlled FPV systems, fiber-optic drones are resistant to electronic warfare interference, giving Ukrainian operators a critical advantage in contested electromagnetic environments.
Following the strike, the Ka-52 helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing. Footage suggests that the crew survived the initial hit and attempted to evacuate the aircraft.
However, additional Ukrainian drone units from the 414th Brigade reportedly followed up the attack. Their drones targeted the downed helicopter and its crew, effectively completing the destruction of the asset.
The Ka-52 is one of russia's most advanced attack helicopters, designed for reconnaissance, target designation, and coordination of other rotary-wing assets. It is capable of engaging armored vehicles, personnel, and even aerial targets, making it a key component of russian battlefield aviation.
With an estimated cost of around $16 million per unit, the loss of such a platform represents not only a financial blow but also a tactical setback. Russia has already suffered notable Ka-52 losses since the start of the full-scale invasion, particularly due to Ukrainian air defenses and increasingly capable drone operations.
Read more: Ukrainian UAVs Destroy russian 2S19 Msta-S, Quad Bike, and Koschei Bomber Drone in Single Strike (Video)
