The Ukrainian military has released previously unseen footage showing the moment a Russian military helicopter was shot down in Hostomel during the early phase of the war.
According to reports, the helicopter was a Kamov Ka-52, widely used by Russian forces on the battlefield in Ukraine. The video was filmed in March 2022, but has only now been made public by the Ukrainian army.
Ukrainian sources say the helicopter was hit by an advanced MANPADS air-defense system supplied by Western countries. As the aircraft was flying at relatively low altitude, a missile struck it directly, causing heavy smoke and flames to erupt from the helicopter.
Despite the impact, reports indicate that the pilots managed to eject and survive the crash.
The footage highlights the intense fighting that took place around Hostomel at the beginning of the invasion, when Ukrainian forces were defending key strategic areas near the capital.
