Direct proof of use
The 9M120 Ataka is directly documented in Ukraine by GICHD's explosive-ordnance guide, which lists the 9M120 Ataka / Spiral-2 / AT-9 among anti-tank guided weapons encountered in Ukraine and states that it has been used extensively there. The same entry identifies the missile as the successor to the 9M114 Shturm, names the Mi-28 as its main attack-helicopter platform, and notes compatibility with modern Mi-35 and Ka-52 variants.
Conflict reporting ties that ordnance record to Russian helicopter operations in the full-scale invasion. The War Zone reported in January 2023 that Russian Mi-28N and Mi-28UB helicopters had operated over Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and that Mi-28 helicopters in Ukraine were sometimes armed with four 9M120 Ataka anti-tank missiles. In June 2023, The War Zone also described Russian Ka-52, Mi-24, Mi-28N, and Mi-28NM helicopters as part of the rotary-wing effort around Ukraine's counteroffensive and identified the 9M120-1 Ataka-1 as one of the Ka-52's anti-tank guided missile options.
Popular Mechanics described the same operational pattern in September 2023, reporting that Russian helicopters used the older 9M120 Ataka alongside LMUR and Vikhr missiles as Russia shifted more aviation fires toward standoff-range guided weapons during Ukraine's counteroffensive.
Sources: GICHD Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine 2025, TWZ Mi-28NM Ukraine, TWZ Russian Attack Helicopter Problem, Popular Mechanics Russian Airpower Counteroffensive
Timeline
The public source trail is strongest after Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion. GICHD's later ordnance guide records the 9M120 Ataka as used extensively in Ukraine, while 2023 aviation reporting places Ataka in the armament mix of Russian Mi-28 and Ka-52 attack helicopters operating over or near the Ukrainian front.
In January 2023, The War Zone reported that Mi-28 helicopters had operated over Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion and could carry Ataka missiles. In June and September 2023, The War Zone and Popular Mechanics described Russian helicopter use during the Ukrainian counteroffensive, when Ka-52, Mi-28, and other rotary-wing assets were used to attack Ukrainian armor and ground targets from outside the easiest reach of short-range air defenses.
Sources: GICHD Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine 2025, TWZ Mi-28NM Ukraine, TWZ Russian Attack Helicopter Problem, Popular Mechanics Russian Airpower Counteroffensive
Narrative
In this conflict the 9M120 Ataka appears as a Russian helicopter-launched guided missile rather than as a standalone ground-force transfer or captured stockpile record. GICHD identifies the missile family, variants, and launch platforms in an ordnance-recognition context for Ukraine, while the aviation sources place Ataka within Russia's rotary-wing anti-armor and fire-support activity.
The documented role was anti-armor and precision fire support from attack helicopters. The War Zone described Russian attack helicopters as a threat to Ukrainian armor during the 2023 counteroffensive, with Ka-52 aircraft prominent and Mi-24 and Mi-28 variants also involved. Popular Mechanics framed Ataka as one of the older guided missiles used alongside newer LMUR and Vikhr weapons as Russian aircraft adopted more standoff-range attacks.
The available public sources support Russian fielding and use of Ataka-family missiles in Ukraine, but they do not provide a verified count of rounds fired or a fully attributable list of Ataka-caused battlefield losses. The stronger record is therefore the missile's documented presence in Ukrainian explosive-ordnance evidence and its reported carriage by Russian attack helicopters during the full-scale invasion.
Sources: GICHD Explosive Ordnance Guide for Ukraine 2025, TWZ Mi-28NM Ukraine, TWZ Russian Attack Helicopter Problem, Popular Mechanics Russian Airpower Counteroffensive
