This is the moment a Russian Ka-52 killer chopper takes to the sky and carries out combat operations against Ukrainian targets.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Ka-52 and Mi-28 multi-purpose attack helicopters were used in the mission.

The Russian military also claimed that they managed to destroy key command posts and a number of armoured vehicles.

The MoD said on 20th May: “Ka-52 reconnaissance attack and Mi-28 multi-purpose attack helicopters crews during the special military operation.

“Aviation crews continue to carry out tasks to destroy armoured vehicles and military infrastructure facilities of the AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine], escort military convoys, deliver airborne troops and military cargo, and provide air support to units carrying out tasks within the framework of the special operation.

“As a result of the next combat missions, command posts and armoured vehicles of the AFU units were destroyed.”

Meanwhile, following the fall of the port city of Mariupol, the Russian authorities plan to tear down the Azovstal metallurgical plant and turn the city into a “resort”, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

The Kremlin also says that the Ukrainian fighters from the Azovstal plant have been taken to a former prison colony in a Russian-controlled part of Donetsk.

Russia’s defence ministry said 771 Ukrainian fighters from the steelworks had surrendered up until 19th May, taking the total to 1,730, and 80 of the fighters were wounded.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine an “absolute failure” and said Russian leaders were afraid to acknowledge “that catastrophic mistakes were made at the highest military and state level”.

Zelenskyy also said that said Ukraine is determined to reclaim control over the southern cities of Kherson, Melitopol, Berdiansk, Enerhodar and Mariupol, now occupied by Russian forces.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 86th day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 19th May, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 28,500 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,254 tanks, 3,063 armoured fighting vehicles, 595 artillery systems, 199 multiple launch rocket systems, 93 anti-aircraft systems, 203 warplanes, 167 helicopters, 2,157 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 455 unmanned aerial vehicles, 43 units of special equipment, and 103 cruise missiles.