Ukraine Air Force Claims Russian Ka-52 Helicopter—’Happy Independence Day’

The Ukrainian Air Force said Wednesday that anti-aircraft missile units had taken down a Russian Kamov Ka-52 helicopter, the second Ka-52 it says has been destroyed in a matter of days.

According to a Facebook post by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, its troops shot down the helicopter overnight in eastern Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin’s war is currently focused.

“Happy Independence Day, Ukraine!” the post said.

The Russian Air Force’s Ka-52 helicopter, also known as the “Alligator,” was introduced in 1996. It is an all-weather attack helicopter that can be used against both armored and unarmored targets, low-speed aerial targets and military personnel. The Ka-52 is also deployed as a surveillance platform and aerial command post for a group of attack helicopters.

In this handout image, Kamov Ka-52 “Alligator” helicopters fly by during a rehearsal for a parade marking the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 in Moscow on May 5, 2015. The Ukrainian Air Force said Wednesday that anti-aircraft missile units had taken down a Russian Ka-52. Host photo agency / RIA Novosti/Getty Images

“Our missile and artillery units and aviation continue to successfully carry out fire missions in the designated directions,” Ukrainian forces wrote Sunday in a Facebook post, Newsweek previously reported. “The enemy is experiencing an acute shortage of trained and motivated reinforcements for units that are systematically suffering losses.”

The developments come as Ukraine marks 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union, amid heightened tensions and ramped up security in the capital, Kyiv, over fears of Russian attacks.

A woman looks at destroyed Russian military equipment that has been turned into an open-air exhibition in Kyiv on August 23, 2022, ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day on August 24. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an emotional speech on Wednesday that Ukraine was “reborn” when Russia invaded six months ago, on February 24.

“A new nation appeared in the world on Feb. 24 at 4 in the morning. It was not born, but reborn. A nation that did not cry, scream or take fright. One that did not flee. Did not give up. And did not forget,” he said, vowing to recapture regions in eastern Ukraine that have been seize by Putin’s forces.

“What for us is the end of the war? We used to say: peace. Now we say: victory,” he said.

Kyiv’s streets have been turned into an open-air military exhibition ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day, with destroyed Russian military equipment on display.

People look at destroyed Russian military equipment in Kyiv on August 23, 2022. According to a Facebook post by the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, its troops shot down a helicopter overnight in eastern Ukraine. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, released a video on Facebook featuring Ukrainian soldiers to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.

“What does independence feel like? Those who are fighting for it know its taste,” he said. “It’s the taste of the earth eating into your skin. The taste of blood and death that saturates the air. The salty taste of tears.”

“Independence is a responsibility that you bear. You go into a battle knowing that not everyone will survive it. They will stay with you forever, those who live and those who die. On your conscience. In your memory.”

Ukraine’s independence has a voice, Zaluzhnyi said.

“Independence is only ever possible when people are prepared to fight for it. I am grateful to you, the defenders of Ukraine! It is an honor to serve alongside you. Eternal memory to the fallen heroes! Eternal glory to those who live! Glory to Ukraine!” he added.

Newsweek has contacted Russia’s foreign ministry for comment.