The Daily Populous Friday March 20th, 2026 evening edition
Authored by united24media.com and submitted by UNITED24Media

Ukrainian forces have reportedly shot down a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter using an FPV drone in the Pokrovsk sector, according to Serhii Sternenko, an advisor to Ukraine’s Defense Minister, on March 20.

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The helicopter was targeted by operators from the “Khyzhaky Vysot” drone unit of Ukraine’s 59th Separate Assault Brigade of Unmanned Systems.

As claimed, pilots of this Russian Ka-52 helicopter were able to eject after being hit by an FPV drone. After ejecting, the crew took cover in a trench behind burned-out armor. A follow-up drone reconnaissance flight later discovered that Russian pilots were already dead.

Moment a Ukrainian FPV drone catches a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter.

The drone flies into the weapons mounted on the wing, likely causing a detonation. https://t.co/OPenDHBPgi pic.twitter.com/AbEqQzfG92 — Woofers (@NotWoofers) March 20, 2026

The Ka-52 “Alligator,” one of Russia’s most advanced attack helicopters, is estimated to cost around $16 million per unit.

It has been widely used in strikes against Ukrainian positions, often employing LMUR precision-guided missiles with a range of up to 15 kilometers, allowing launches from beyond the reach of many air defense systems.

Pilots of the Russian Ka-52 helicopter, killed on the ground not far from the crash site, March 20, 2026. (Source: MAG_VODOGRAY/Telergam)

Developed by Russia’s Kamov Design Bureau, the Ka-52 is a two-seat combat helicopter designed for reconnaissance, coordination, and strike missions against both ground and aerial targets.

It is capable of operating day or night and in adverse weather conditions, reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Powered by twin VK-2500 gas-turbine engines, the helicopter cruises at around 260 km/h and has an operational range of roughly 500 kilometers.

❗️Video of a burning 🇷🇺Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter that was shot down by a 🇺🇦Ukrainian FPV drone in the Pokrovsk direction pic.twitter.com/VD2k4OcmOz — 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) March 20, 2026

With a maximum takeoff weight of 10,800 kilograms, the Ka-52 can carry up to 2,800 kilograms of weapons.

Its nose-mounted GOES-451 electro-optical targeting system allows crews to detect and track targets at range and share data with other units in real time through Russia’s battlefield management networks. However, according to Militarnyi, combat experience has revealed limitations in this sensor suite.

Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter burns on the ground after a Ukrainian FPV drone strike, March 20, 2026. (Source: ssternenko/Telegram)

The Ka-52 is armed with a 30mm 2A42 autocannon and can carry a wide range of munitions across six hardpoints.

These include unguided S-8 and S-13 rockets, as well as anti-tank guided missiles such as the 9M120 “Ataka” and 9A4172K “Vikhr-1.” It can also deploy LMUR (“Izdelie 305”) guided missiles, along with short-range air-to-air missiles like the R-73 and Igla-V.

The Ataka missile, derived from the Soviet-era “Shturm-V,” has a range of about 6 kilometers but requires continuous guidance from the helicopter, forcing it to hover and making it vulnerable to air defenses and electronic warfare.

The reported shootdown highlights the growing role of low-cost drones in countering high-value air assets on the battlefield.

Earlier, reports emerged that Russia was intensifying efforts to develop new countermeasures to protect its helicopters from FPV drones, which Ukrainian forces increasingly use to threaten low-altitude aircraft.

In one revealing admission, the Russian helicopter manufacturer “Russian Helicopters” acknowledged that some of its rotorcraft had been damaged or destroyed by FPV drones, and announced ongoing efforts to devise protective upgrades.

The_Grinning_Reaper on March 20th, 2026 at 12:32 UTC »

They’ve lost about half of their pre-invasion fleet of 133 KA-52s. Pretty expensive..

Appropriate-Ball293 on March 20th, 2026 at 12:29 UTC »

FPV drone $1000 vs Ka-52 $16,000,000

Chraum on March 20th, 2026 at 12:24 UTC »

the real story here is the cost curve and the kill chain. a cheap FPV plus follow-up recon forcing high-value aircraft lower or farther back is exactly how you degrade air support without matching it plane for plane.