The Ukrainian Armed Forces received the RBS-70 man-portable air defence systems in April, but the first videos of its use on the battlefield were shown in late August.
The soldiers of the 47th Mechanised Brigade used the RBS-70 to shoot down a Ka-52 attack helicopter of the Russian invaders near Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhya region. The Ukrainian Army liberated this strategic village on August 24.
Russian Ka-52 “Alligator” helicopter is a primary target for Ukrainian air defences at the frontline; its cost is over $10 million.
The Swedish RBS 70 uses a so-called "laser track" instead of a traditional infrared system, so the missile flies in a guided laser beam, and the operator follows the target until it is hit. This allows the rocket to bypass heat traps.
RBS 70's range is up to 7 km. Its rocket leaves no trace, which is very important for the safety of operators. The smoke trail would indicate the launcher's location.
