Ukrainian soldiers destroy Russian Ka-52 helicopters near Bakhmut and Robotyne

The 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade posted this on Facebook.

"The morning of the soldiers of the 47th separate mechanized brigade began with the destruction of a Russian Ka-52 helicopter in the Robotyne area of Zaporizhzhia. At approximately 07:40, a firing group of the anti-aircraft missile and artillery division spotted an enemy Alligator. One launch from the man-portable air defense system - the target was destroyed," the statement reads.

This is the eighth Ka-52 to be downed by the brigade. The cost of one of these is $16 million.

Earlier, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that the Russians had lost a helicopter in the Bakhmut sector.

The Russians lost a helicopter in the Bakhmut direction.

"Minus one Russian Ka-52 this morning in the Bakhmut direction! I thank the Air Defense unit of the Air Force for their successful combat work! Together - to victory!" - he wrote.

• In total, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian army has lost 314 helicopters, and today's is the 315th.