THIS is the moment a Ukrainian sabotage team destroyed a Russian £8 million military chopper in a fresh blow to Putin.
Dramatic footage shows a multi-purpose Ka-32 ablaze on the tarmac at Ostafyevo military airfield in the Russian capital.
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A shadowy figure is seen in the clip appearing to set fire to the helicopter in darkness.
The inferno is then ignited inside the multi-million-pound chopper before the saboteur flees as another one films the entire ordeal.
The GUR military intelligence directorate, which released the video, claims the alleged attack took place last night.
It said: “The destroyed aircraft was used by the aggressor state in the interests of the Moscow aviation centre, in particular, to support the operations of the Russian occupation army.”
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The attack on Putin’s doorstep in Moscow will be an embarrassing blow to Russian security services.
The airfield – in the south of the city – belongs to the Russian Ministry of Defence and is operated jointly with Gazpromavia, a part of energy behemoth Gazprom.
There was no immediate comment from Russian officials.
Oil facilities have been a key target of both drone and sabotage strikes by Ukraine in recent months.
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Russia has been forced to halt oil exports and even import from close ally Belarus as a result of the attacks on its facilities.
On Thursday, Ukraine reportedly hit a Russian oil refinery sparking a huge inferno that destroyed one of Putin’s trains.
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The dictator’s locomotive went up in flames during the sabotage attack close to Omsk Oil Refinery in southwest Russia.
Three oil-filled wagons, holding 17, 22, and 50 tonnes of crude oil, caught fire near the well-known Trans-Siberian railway route.
Massive flames and strong black smoke filled the area as emergency personnel worked to put out the fire.
At first, Ukrainian media speculated that the strike might have been sabotaged.
It comes after Russia’s $100million missile system was blown to smithereens by Ukraine as Vladimir Putin suffered yet another battlefield embarrassment.
The 3rd Special Operations Regiment of Ukraine fired a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) that fully destroyed the multi-million pound Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile launcher.
Before the catastrophic attack, the high-end military weapon looked to be aiming for its next victim.
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Following the explosion, video was shared to social media, showing charred chunks of the arsenal raining down on the floor below.
Plumes of heavy white smoke covered the sky before an orange fireball emerged from beneath.
Kamov Ka-32 Helicopter
Putin’s helicopter reportedly destroyed by Ukraine is a multi-purpose Karov Ka-32
The Ka-32 is a versatile helicopter designed for various roles, including firefighting, search and rescue, cargo transport, and construction work.
The chopper can cost up to £8,000,000, according to helistart.com.
It features a coaxial rotor system, meaning it has two main rotors mounted one above the other, which provides excellent stability and maneuverability.
Powered by two turboshaft engines, the Ka-32 has impressive lifting capabilities and can operate in challenging environments, such as high altitudes and adverse weather conditions.
The Ka-32 is often used for maritime operations, including offshore transport, shipborne operations, and search and rescue missions over water.
It has been used by various countries around the world, including Russia, South Korea, Japan, and Canada, showcasing its international appeal and reliability.
Source: Sun
