Early this morning, Russian military correspondents reported that Ukrainian defense forces shot down a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter in the Kursk area.

According to these reports, the helicopter was destroyed by a mobile air defense system operated by one person. The exact location and time of the incident have not been announced.

Ilya Tumanov, a well-known figure in Russian military aviation, confirmed the downing of the Ka-52 helicopter.

He emphasized the critical role of aviation in Russia's operations in the Kursk region and indicated that this incident could be an indication of greater losses to come.

"An operation in the Kursk region is impossible without the use of aviation, and the pilots understand that," Tumanov noted, seemingly preparing the Russian public for potential future losses in the region.

So far, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have not officially confirmed the downing of the Russian helicopter. Ukrainian military authorities have generally refrained from commenting on incidents that took place on Russian soil this week.

According to Dutch intelligence website Oryx, Russia has lost 60 Ka-52 helicopters since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Ka-52 Alligator is a Russian attack helicopter designed for a variety of combat operations, including destroying tanks, armored vehicles, low-flying targets and providing support to ground forces.

This loss represents a significant blow to Russian military capabilities, especially in the current conflict where air superiority remains a contested issue.