Are Russia’s new Ka-52M helicopters used to counter Ukraine's counteroffensive in south?

However, the British honestly admit that they used footage from a Russian propagandist as a source for their conclusions, where one can only identify some features of the Ka-52M.

To describe the Russian Ka-52Ms, the UK Defense Ministry gave only general characteristics - that these helicopters have been modernized based on the experience of the war in Syria, and that their weapons are primarily characterized by the ability to use the LMUR guided missile with a range of up to 15 kilometers.

So Ukraine’s Defense Express Media & Consulting Company analyzed the capabilities of this combat rotorcraft.

"The flight characteristics of the Ka-52M remained essentially unchanged compared to the basic version: flight speed up to 200 km/h, flight radius up to 400 km. Instead, according to the pilots themselves, they managed to significantly improve the performance of the Ka-52M by installing a more durable landing gear and using blades with an improved heating element," the company notes. 

In addition, the Ka-52M is distinguished by the presence of external LED lighting, allegedly improved cockpit ergonomics for the crew, and most importantly, an improved set of onboard equipment: a new GOES-451M electro-optical targeting system, SUO-806PM fire control system, and the BKS-50M communication suite.

That aside, the Ka-52M also received a new electronic warfare and missile countermeasure system. Now the L418 Monoblock is installed on this aircraft, earlier this self-defense suite was featured in Ka-52E helicopters they sold to Egypt. And also the onboard radar, now using the B006 Rezets from the manufacturer of radar for the Su-34, which can supposedly see a target "group of tanks" at a distance of 30 km.

Given that the Russian Federation officially began mass production of the Ka-52M only in the fall of 2022, it is unlikely that the Russian troops in the south have a significant number of these helicopters to have a significant impact on the course of hostilities. At best, the enemy can only have a few rotorcraft, not the 15-30 helicopters claimed by official Russian resources.