The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down three Russian Ka-52 helicopters in just 30 minutes. During the past day, Ukrainian soldiers shot down 1 Russian SU-25, 3 KA-52 attack helicopters, 3 "Orlan" type UAVs, 1 "Merlin" type UAV and 1x "Lancet" type.
According to foreign media, for half an hour of anti-aircraft combat from 00:00 to 00:30, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed three Russian Ka-52 helicopters in the eastern direction.
In addition, the Ukrainian Air Force carried out 8 airstrikes on concentration areas of Russian forces and 3 airstrikes against Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.
The Ka-52 "Alligator" helicopter is one of the most modern aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces. It is a new combat helicopter and has been in production since 2008.
In terms of weapons, the Ka-52 "Crocodile" is equipped with laser-guided fire systems, anti-tank missile systems, bombs and many other weapons. The main task of this helicopter is to support infantry and destroy combat vehicles, including tanks, armored vehicles and enemy ground weapons.
In late October 2022, British Ministry of Defense intelligence officials confirmed that at least 23 helicopters of this type had been shot down by Ukrainian air defense forces since the outbreak of conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.
This is more than 25% of Moscow's Ka-52 fleet. According to previous reports, the Russian military currently has about 90 Ka-52 helicopters in service.
American weapons from the Taliban
Some US military analysts report that Russia is planning to recover weapons left behind by the US military during its withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. According to Western media, the Taliban have a huge amount of weapons in their hands, which the American army did not have time to take out during its withdrawal.
The arrival of Taliban delegations in Moscow last year, according to The Sun newspaper, may indicate the establishment of contacts between Russia and the current government of Afghanistan, which took power in 2021. Kabul representatives are actively interested in Russian oil and grain and in return they can share American weapons with Moscow.
"Putin knows that the Taliban are in possession of weapons and equipment, including those seized by the US military. These weapons would be very useful for the Russian military in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict zone. In Kabul, they are somewhat surprised by Moscow's proposal, but they are already discussing it seriously," The Sun claims.
According to the most conservative estimates, $77 billion worth of weapons remain in Afghanistan. American analysts claim that the Taliban have in their possession up to half a million small arms and up to 50,000 armored vehicles from the arsenals of the Pentagon.
The US military also left 33 Black Hawk helicopters, 23 fighter jets and 4 heavy transport aircraft in the country. Even if some of these weapons have been destroyed, the Taliban still have an impressive arsenal that they can share with Russia in exchange for oil and food.
