This is the moment Russian Ka-52 killer helicopters take part in a combat operation to “protect Donbas”.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: “Servicemen of the Russian Army continue to perform combat missions during the special operation to protect Donbas, destroying strongholds and armed units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

“On Friday, May 13, the Ministry of Defence reported this and showed footage of the combat work of the Ka-52 helicopters.

“The Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ reconnaissance and attack helicopters are used by the Russian Armed Forces to escort columns, eliminate enemy weapons and strategic facilities, deliver troops and military cargo, and also provide air support to ground units.

“The crew conducts flights at extremely low altitudes – from five metres. High manoeuvrability and relatively small dimensions allow the Alligators to work successfully on any terrain.

“Pilots take part in missions in pairs: the pilot and navigator effectively interact in the sky, helping each other.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 79th day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 12th May, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 26,650 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,195 tanks, 2,873 armoured fighting vehicles, 534 artillery systems, 191 multiple launch rocket systems, 87 anti-aircraft systems, 199 warplanes, 161 helicopters, 2,019 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 398 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.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the Russian blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports threatens global food supplies.