This is the moment Russian Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ helicopters take to the sky and reportedly destroy Ukrainian ammo depots and armoured vehicles.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said pilots of the Ka-52 Alligator reconnaissance and attack helicopters destroyed Ukrainian ammunition depots and armoured vehicles in an unspecified region of Ukraine.

The combat helicopter is capable of stealthily “sneaking up” on a target outside the range of enemy air defence systems, destroying it, and quickly avoiding possible return fire at maximum speed.

The ‘Alligator’ can attack and defend, providing cover for military columns on the ground and reliable rear support for transport helicopters in the air.

Crew commander Boris said: “We carried out operations to destroy enemy strongholds. We carried out a flight and worked in two pairs, hitting the targets and returning to base.

“Everyone is alive and well. In these conditions, the helicopter is proven to be effective. It allowed us to emerge in front of the forest without alerting the enemy.”

Russian engineer Andrey said: “We are providing special attention to ensure that all helicopters are in full working order.

“After refuelling and carrying out an external pre-flight inspection, we then rearm them.”

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 77th day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 11th May, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 26,350 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,187 tanks, 2,856 armoured fighting vehicles, 528 artillery systems, 185 multiple launch rocket systems, 87 anti-aircraft systems, 199 warplanes, 160 helicopters, 1,997 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 12 vessels, 390 unmanned aerial vehicles, 41 units of special equipment and 94 cruise missiles.

This week, Vladimir Putin addressed a huge military parade on Red Square in Moscow to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany at the hands of the Soviet Union in World War II.

The Russian President used his speech to claim that Russian troops in eastern Ukraine were “defending the motherland”. He also said that the “special military operation” in Ukraine was necessary and was provoked by the West.