Russian milbloggers confirmed the strikes in gloomy posts on social media, predicting military authorities would not learn anything and “this will happen again as long as the war continues.”
Ukraine has claimed it struck Russian airfields in Berdyansk and Luhansk overnight, destroying an unspecified number of “helicopters and military equipment”.
In a post on social media, Ukraine’s military said: “On the night of October 17, the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out successful strikes on helicopters and airfield equipment of the Russian occupying forces in the temporarily-occupied Luhansk and Berdyansk.”
The strikes were confirmed by Russian milbloggers, with one describing it as “one of the most serious blows of all time in the Northern Military District. If not the most serious.
They added: “There are losses in both people and technology. It’s pointless to write about the fact that ‘we need to draw conclusions so that this doesn’t happen again.’
“This will happen again as long as the war continues. We must be prepared for this.”
They also claimed the attack was carried out by ATACMS missiles though officially at least, Ukraine does not currently have any of the weapons.
Unverified videos posted to social media purported to show Russian air defenses attempting to intercept Ukrainian missiles in the Berdyansk region.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/22850
“They also claimed the attack was carried out by ATACMS missiles though officially at least, Ukraine does not currently have any of the weapons.”
I very much doubt it. The ATACM’s if they ever arrive, will be reserved for a special operation. Berdyansk is only 100km from the front line, so well within range of weapons Ukraine currently posses.
Update:
The SSO claims that the attack destroyed the following Russian assets, according to the latest data:
9 helicopters of various modifications;
the airfield-based special equipment;
an air defense system’s launcher;
an ammunition warehouse;
airfield runways were damaged.
Outstanding!!! 😎👍
Various news sources are reporting that it *was* ATACMS. A WSJ article was posted here; I got a NY Times “breaking news” alert about it:
The NY Times article contains a link to a tweet from a Ukrainian lawmaker, Oleksiy Goncharenko, saying “ATACMS is already with us.”
I don’t think Ukraine needs ATACMS to hit inside mainland Ukraine do they?
It appears the ATACM’s Ukraine received only have a range of 100 miles. Fear still prevents the US from sending the really long range variety.
I didn’t know that. Perhaps we can use those two carrier groups stationed in Israel after they’re done bombing the terrorists with sling shots…
Not much sense in having ATACMS with such a short range, or?
If true, then Biden is a sorrier Sad Sack than I ever thought.
I think destroying a bunch of copters is good, but not as good as destroying a bridge. The orcs are limited now where they put their copters, everywhere is within reach on the mainland.
I agree. The bridge would be a much juicier target than a few choppers. But, at least those choppers won’t be able to attack Ukrainians anymore.