Russia’s apex predator is now being hunted – and the Kremlin has one fewer Ka-52 “Alligator” (NATO reporting name Hokum-B) in service.
The Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade claimed to have downed one of the attack helicopters on Sunday, reportedly using an American-supplied FGM-148 Javelin – normally used to kill Russian tanks – on the Berdiansk Front in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Ukrainian forces reportedly have gained some 13 kilometers on the front in recent days, while it is also making advances as well despite heavy resistance.
“Our defence forces are continuing to mount an offensive on the Melitopol, Berdiansk and Bakhmut fronts. They are clawing back every metre of our land from the enemy in tough battles. They are making gains,” Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister said via a post on the Telegram social messaging service.
“Meanwhile, enemy forces are continuing their attempts to advance on the Lyman, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts, but are unsuccessful. […] Enemy forces are amassing all their reserves – even a marine brigade that had earlier fled Kherson. On the Berdiansk front, [Ukraine’s defence forces] have advanced by some 1,300 metres,” she added.
Alligator Hunters!
This was also the most recent loss of a Russian Ka-52 helicopter in recent weeks, and it is notable as the 36th Marine Brigade – named to honor Ukrainian patriot “Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynski” – is an anti-tank unit of the Ukrainian Navy. It first shared the news of downing the Russian helicopter via its Facebook page.
To date, 37 have been confirmed destroyed by the Dutch open-source outlet Oryx since the fighting began when the Kremlin launched its unprovoked invasion in February 2022. One of the Alligator scout-attack helicopters was destroyed last month by Ukrainian forces in an undisclosed region, while the Wagner Group also shot down a Ka-52 Alligator near the village of Talovaya in the Voronezh region during its brief mutiny.
An Apex Predator
The Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” is a two-seat-variant of the Kamov Ka-50 “Black Shark” (NATO reporting name Hokum A) single-seat attack helicopter. Both models utilize a distinctive coaxial rotor system that was developed by the Kamov Design Bureau. The original Ka-50 first entered service with the Russian Army in 1995, and it serves as a heavily armored scout helicopter, while the Ka-52 Alligator was developed in the mid-90s. Serial production was started in late 2008.
Russian state media has touted the capabilities of the Ka-52, stating the platform was developed to destroy tanks, armored and non-armored vehicles, manpower, rotorcraft, and other enemy aircraft on the frontline and in the tactical depth, in any weather conditions and at any time. The Alligator is reported to be equipped with modern avionics, while its unique coaxial rotor system and enhanced longitudinal control enable the helicopter to “effectively maneuver and perform complex aerobatic operations.”
In addition, the Ka-52 also features a radio-electronic protection system, along with low signature devices to reduce, dissipate and distort the engine’s thermal trace, while it has active countermeasure capabilities.
However, even this apex predator can become the hunted – as noted by the recent losses in Ukraine.
To date, Russia has now lost a total of 309 Russian rotary aircraft.
Author Experience and Expertise
A Senior Editor for 19FortyFive, Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu.
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