According to the video description the incident was caused by a short circuit.
Brought to my attention by Matteo Arcolin, a reader of #AW#, the video in this post was taken on Sep. 17 or 18, 2017 and shows a Russian Kamov Ka-52 attack helicopter accidentally firing two S-8 unguided rockets at the onlookers during Exercise Zapad 2017.
The victims of the unexpected attack were reporters.
According to the video description, the incident was caused by a short circuit. “They were flying engaged on target, there were some 500 meters left to it, and weapon chains get locked on the mission’s attack route, they turned on, but there was some kind of a short circuit and missiles were launched without command.nMissile fragments projected across a wide area. At least two vehicles were burnt down, two people were seriously injured, now they are at the hospital. It was a training routine before some show-off drill. Most probably, it was journalists who got hit.”
Another video that allegedly captured the moment of the accidental S-8 rocket launch from the cockpit of one of the Ka-52s was later uploaded on YouTube.
The Kamov Ka-52 Alligator is a next-generation reconnaissance and combat helicopter designed to destroy tanks, armored and non-armored ground targets, and enemy troops and helicopters both on the front line and in tactical reserves. The helicopter can operate around the clock and in all weather. The Ka-52 can provide target acquisition and designation for helicopter teams and ground troop command and control centers. It can also provide fire support for troop landings, fly routine patrols and escort military convoys.