Russian bases attacked
Ukraine scores massive blow with “Operation Dragonfly”.
October 17, 2023, 4:20 p.m
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Ukraine is increasingly targeting logistically important cities in the occupied territories in the southeast. In “Operation Dragonfly” Russian bases are attacked. ATACMS missiles are also said to have been used.
The Ukrainian military says it has successfully attacked Russian air bases near the occupied cities of Luhansk and Berdyansk in the southeast. The armed forces there specifically attacked enemy airfields and helicopters, the military said via the short message service Telegram. The losses on the Russian side are said to be serious.
The Telegram channel of the special forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported nine destroyed helicopters of various modifications. In addition, special equipment that was on the airfields, as well as an air defense system, are said to have been destroyed. Two ammunition depots went up in flames. According to the information, the runways also sustained damage. Kiev puts the total number of helicopters destroyed since the major Russian attack at 317.
The explosions in the ammunition depots lasted for several hours, the Ukrainian military said. Dozens of Russian soldiers are said to have been killed and injured. Both targets are over 90 kilometers behind the front line. The information could not be independently verified. However, Russian military bloggers described the strike as the worst on Russian air bases since the Russians invaded Ukraine nearly 20 months ago.
There is speculation in Russian Telegram channels that ATACMS missiles were involved this time. There is no confirmation of this. So far all that is known is that the USA wants to provide Ukraine with missiles of this type. Ukrainian President Zelensky said on his Telegram channel at midday: “I am also grateful to those who are destroying the occupiers’ logistics and bases on our land. There are results. I am grateful to some of our partners: effective weapons, like us have agreed.”