Portuguese-Transferred Ka-32 to Respond to Aftermath of Strike on Kyiv

Ka-32 helicopter, recently provided by Portugal, has been deployed to help extinguish fires sparked by last night’s Russian strike on Kyiv.

The deployment was captured in a photo shared by Radio Svoboda (Liberty – ed.) and video footage released by Suspilne.

The images show the helicopter in action, dropping water on fire hotspots using an external water release system known as a helicopter bucket.

It is a special tank used for transporting water or other fire-extinguishing agents, carried beneath the fuselage.

Later, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (DIU) said it had deployed two of its Ka-32 helicopters to assist in responding to the aftermath of the Russian missile strike on Kyiv.

In September of last year, the Portuguese Ministry of National Defence announced that it had sent the first promised Ka-32 helicopters to Ukraine as part of its aid package. The helicopters were transported disassembled on trucks.

Пожежний Ка-32 ?? залучений до гасіння пожеж, спричинених російською атакою дронів та ракет.

Відео: Суспільне новини pic.twitter.com/UuJ0GyUAiC

— MilitaryAviationInUa (@MilAviaUA) June 10, 2025

The Portuguese government announced its plans to transfer Ka-32 firefighting helicopters back in 2022, but the process was delayed due to a change in leadership. In total, Ukraine was expected to receive six multi-purpose helicopters of this type, capable of performing a wide range of missions.

The Ka-32 helicopters were purchased in 2006 by Portugal’s Ministry of Internal Administration.

This helicopter was developed in the Soviet Union based on the military Ka-27. It is designed to perform a variety of tasks, including cargo transport, rescue operations, firefighting, as well as construction and assembly work.

Aftermath of the Strike

According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, Kyiv was subjected to yet another massive Russian attack during the night of June 10. Falling drone debris caused fires, destruction of residential and non-residential buildings, and damage to infrastructure in various parts of the city. Four people were injured and all were hospitalized.

The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, reported that damage from the strike had been recorded in seven districts of the capital: Desnianskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Podilskyi, Darnytskyi, Obolonskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Solomianskyi.

“Throughout the night, the enemy relentlessly terrorized Kyiv with strike drones. They targeted civilian infrastructure and peaceful residents of the city… There are partial destructions and fires in apartment buildings and private residences. Cars and warehouse facilities were also set on fire,” said Tkachenko.

Specifically, in the Holosiivskyi district, there is damage to a business center; in the Obolonskyi district, warehouses are on fire; and in the Solomianskyi district, drone debris fell onto the roof of a multi-story building. The response to the aftermath of the Russian strike on the Ukrainian capital is currently ongoing.