Ukraine Reports First Destruction of Russian Ka-27 Helicopter in Crimea

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Naval Forces, Dmytro Pletenchuk, revealed on Facebook the destruction of a Russian Ka-27 helicopter in Crimea. "Minus one Russian Ka-27 in Crimea. It was on a search mission. And it found something," Pletenchuk said on April 10, 2024. Several other sources corroborate this information, but no official Russian sources have confirmed it.
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Russian Kamov Ka-27 anti-submarine warfare helicopter. (Picture source: Vitaly V.Kuzmin)

These helicopters, stationed at the Kacha airbase in the Bakhchysarai district of Crimea, are used by the Russian Black Sea Fleet to track Ukrainian naval drones and landing craft.

According to reports from the Crimean Wind Telegram channel, a sound resembling a rocket launch was heard in Sevastopol around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by a muffled explosion, reminiscent of those observed during air defense operations. According to other reports from the Helicopterpilot Telegram channel, it could be a friendly fire that brought down the Russian helicopter.

The Kamov Ka-27 is an anti-submarine warfare helicopter, designed by Kamov and primarily used in naval operations. With its first flight in December 1974, it is equipped with two Klimov TV3-117V engines, providing a unit power of 2,226 horsepower. This model can accommodate a crew of 1 to 3 people, along with 2 to 3 additional specialists for specific missions.

In terms of dimensions, the Ka-27 has a rotor diameter of 15.90 meters, a length of 11.30 meters, and a height of 5.40 meters. Its weight varies depending on the configuration, with an empty mass of 6,500 kilograms and a payload of up to 12,600 kilograms.

In terms of performance, this helicopter can reach a cruising speed of 220 km/h and a maximum speed of 250 km/h. Its operational ceiling reaches 5,000 meters, and it can cover a distance of 800 kilometers without refueling.

The armament of the Ka-27 includes two torpedoes and a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted externally. Additionally, it can be equipped with a 30 mm cannon and 55 mm rocket pods. Its avionics are comprehensive, including radar, MAD (metallic mass detector), airborne sonar, and sonobuoys for underwater detection. For defense, it is equipped with a radar warning receiver, electronic support measures (ESM), and an electronic warfare system.

Since the start of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has reportedly lost 325 rotary-wing aircraft in the conflict. However, the destruction of the Ka-27 helicopter was not mentioned during the morning briefing by the Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Although the nature of what brought down the Ka-27 is not known, several sources agree that it was indeed neutralized. However, official confirmation or evidence is still pending, so this is a developing story.