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TacticD4likely · high confidenceRU · adversary

Russian Ka-52 uses Igla-V missiles to intercept Ukrainian drones

Bottom line

Footage shows Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters using Igla-V air-to-air missiles to intercept Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea, demonstrating a kinetic air-to-air counter-drone capability.

Why it matters

The deployment of air-launched MANPADS by attack helicopters to intercept drones introduces a new layer of threat for Ukrainian UAV operators, particularly in maritime and coastal zones, and may necessitate adjustments in drone flight profiles and countermeasures.

Intel Slava released footage of a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter engaging and intercepting Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea using Igla-V man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) missiles mounted on the aircraft. This represents a novel kinetic counter-drone tactic, leveraging the helicopter’s mobility and firepower to engage aerial threats that may bypass traditional ground-based air defense networks.

Evidence — 1 independent origin

  • Intel Slavasource Dorigin t.mearchive
    Original text (excerpt)

    🇷🇺 🇺🇦 ⚡️ — Footage shows a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter intercepting Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea using Igla-V/S air-to-air missiles. @IntelSlava

NamedKa-52Igla-VTopicsdronesinterceptorsrussiaukraine war

Related findings

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History · version 1 · first published · last substantive update

Cite this finding
Robot War (2026). Russian Ka-52 uses Igla-V missiles to intercept Ukrainian drones. Hetzner OSINT, 2 September 2026. https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-09-02--russian-ka-52-uses-igla-v-missiles-to-intercept-ukrainian-drones/

@misc{robotwar-2026-09-02--russian-ka-52-uses-igla-v-missiles-to-intercept-ukrainian-drones,
  title = {Russian Ka-52 uses Igla-V missiles to intercept Ukrainian drones},
  author = {Robot War},
  howpublished = {\url{https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-09-02--russian-ka-52-uses-igla-v-missiles-to-intercept-ukrainian-drones/}},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Hetzner OSINT finding D4}
}

Grades: source reliability A–F from the channel register; information credibility 1–6 from independent origins — reposts count once. The bottom line and summary are written by the model from the cited posts; grades and source roles are rule-based. Methodology 2026-10-15.v6 · Corrections · JSON · RSS · API performance