"Friendly fire" blamed for destruction of Russian Ka-52 during drone attack

A Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter was reportedly shot down by "friendly fire" while attempting to repel a Ukrainian drone strike on Russian territory.

The incident, which resulted in the loss of the helicopter and its crew, is believed to have occurred when a Russian fighter jet mistakenly identified the Ka-52 as an enemy UAV, The Insider reports.

“A Ka-52 (or Ka-52M) was shot down, unfortunately with crew losses. It appears to have been hit by our own — a fighter jet engaged and seems to have mistaken it for a UAV. Apparently, the helicopter was flying nearby, and they struck the wrong target. The incident and its causes are currently under investigation,” read a message circulated on one of the Russian Telegram channels.

According to The Insider, this marks at least the 17th documented case of Russian aircraft lost to "friendly fire" since the beginning of the war, and the second such incident in 2025.

Citing its compiled data, the outlet reported that among the total losses are 12 fixed-wing aircraft — including four Su-35s, three Su-34s, two A-50 early warning planes, and one each of the Su-27, Su-30, and Il-22 — as well as five helicopters: two Ka-52s, one Ka-29, one Mi-24, and one Mi-8.

The Ka-52, known by NATO’s reporting name “Hokum-B,” is one of Russia’s most advanced attack helicopters, designed for reconnaissance and precision strikes. 

By Vafa Guliyeva