Ukraine downs Russian chopper with Polish weapons: report

Ukrainian forces have shot down a Russian helicopter using the Polish-built Piorun (Thunderbolt) man-portable air defence system, according to a report.

The Polish-built Piorun (Thunderbolt) man-portable air-defence system.

PAP/Leszek Szymański

The successful attack on the Russian Ka-52 helicopter took place near the northeastern Ukrainian city of Izyum, Poland's polsatnews.pl website reported, citing the Ukrainian army.

⚡️The fighter of the 95th ODShbr APU Yuri Kochevenko reports that Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners with the help of MANPADS "Perun" destroyed the Russian helicopter Ka-52 "Alligator" in the area of ​​Izyum. pic.twitter.com/bTcKL3PtYP

— Flash (@Flash43191300) May 11, 2022

The Soviet-designed Ka-52 assault helicopter, nicknamed “Alligator,” is estimated to be worth around USD 16 million, according to polsatnews.pl.

Amid fierce fighting around Izyum, one such machine was taken down by Ukrainian troops equipped with the Polish air-defence system, proving its usefulness in Ukraine's war effort, according to polsatnews.pl.

Siły ukraińskie zestrzeliły rosyjski śmigłowiec Ka-52 w okolicy miejscowości Izium w obwodzie charkowskim. Dokonali tego przy pomocy polskiej broni. Wartość śmigłowca oscyluje w okolicach 16 mln dolarów. @MON_GOV_PL @DefenceU @michaldworczyk https://t.co/sTj2n8eSHr

— Redakcja Polska Polskiego Radia dla Zagranicy (@RadioZagranica) May 12, 2022

Michał Dworczyk, a top aide to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, commented on the news in a tweet.

😎 pic.twitter.com/vSgyY7QHR0

— Michał Dworczyk (@michaldworczyk) May 11, 2022

Thursday is day 78 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: polsatnews.pl, polskatimes.pl, defence24.com