Pro-war Russian Telegram channels have reported that up to three military helicopters may have been lost while Russian forces were repelling a drone attack on the Ust-Luga port in Leningrad Oblast overnight into 11 November. The channels claim seven servicemen, including experienced crew members, were killed, but Russia’s Defense Ministry has not commented and the reports remain unverified. The incident, if confirmed, would mark another serious episode involving Russian military aviation and air-defense coordination.
Key Takeaways: The reports mention a Ka-52 Alligator reconnaissance-strike helicopter, a Mi-8 multirole helicopter and possibly a third aircraft. Pro-war Z-channels claim seven crew members died, while official bodies have not confirmed the number or the losses. Some channels suggest the helicopters either collided or were hit by their own air-defense forces, highlighting possible coordination failures.
The reports come against the background of earlier claims about Russian air defenses accidentally targeting their own aircraft. In early October, Z-channels Fighterbomber and Helicopterpilot, as well as a source cited by Izvestiya, reported that Russian air defense had downed a Mi-8 helicopter in Voronezh Oblast, killing three crew members. Such episodes raise questions about identification, command coordination and the ability of Russian forces to distinguish between drones and friendly aviation during large-scale drone attacks. The Ust-Luga port, a major logistics hub on the Baltic Sea, has previously been seen as strategically sensitive infrastructure.
The Voyennyy osvedomitel channel, citing preliminary information, reported the loss of a Ka-52 Alligator together with its crew, as well as a Mi-8 multirole helicopter; it later clarified that the incident may have involved three aircraft. The channel said the causes were unknown and suggested the helicopters could have collided or been fired upon by their own forces. If the latter is true, it would indicate that cooperation between aviation and air defense remains weak. Another Z-channel, Voyevoda veshchaet, reported three helicopters and seven experienced servicemen killed but did not specify the aircraft types or circumstances. The channel Ya i moy drug vertolyot published black-and-white images of Mi-8 and Ka-52 helicopters and poems dedicated to the dead crew members.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has so far issued no statement on the reported helicopter losses or casualties, leaving the claims dependent on anonymous and pro-war Telegram channels. That limits the ability to assess their reliability, and independent verification is difficult in wartime conditions. Further official confirmations or denials may follow, along with scrutiny of air-defense procedures and aviation coordination. Observers are also likely to focus on security around Ust-Luga and the effectiveness of Russia’s drone-defense measures.
Source: kun.uz