MOSCOW, January 5. /TASS/. Crews of Russian Ka-52 helicopters have hit a Ukrainian control center and armored vehicles in the Donetsk area in the course of the special military operation, the Russian defense ministry said.

"In the course of the combat mission, pilots of the army aviation, backed by land troops, carried out launches according to forward air controller’s coordinates and destroyed a control center and armored vehicles of the Ukrainian army," it said.

"An assault group of Ka-52, Mi-28, and Mi-8 helicopters delivered an airstrike on an enemy platoon stronghold to promote the advance of land troops. They used unguided missiles. After the mission, the helicopters returned to the home airfield," a Ka-52 pilot codenamed Talant said.

The defense ministry recalled that during the special military operation army aircraft are used to escort convoys, hit armored vehicles, transport airborne troops, military cargoes, and provide backing to land units.