In a dramatic turn of events, Ukraine claims to have successfully destroyed nine Russian helicopters and other equipment in an air strike on the Russian-occupied cities of Berdyansk and Luhansk. The Ukrainian special forces released a statement confirming the attack, stating that a munitions dump and an air defense system were targeted. The operation resulted in numerous Russian troop casualties and injuries, according to the statement. However, there has been no independent confirmation of the attack, and the Russian military has remained silent on the matter.
Vladimir Rogov, the Russian-appointed governor of the occupied area in the Zaporizhzhia region, acknowledged that air defense systems intercepted enemy rockets above Berdyansk. He mentioned that currently, the authorities are assessing casualties and evaluating the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, an unverified video circulating on a pro-Russian social media account purportedly shows explosions and rockets soaring through the air, with a voiceover claiming that an ammunition dump has been struck. Another Russian blogger reported an attack on an airfield using US-made ATACMS rockets, causing significant damage to both personnel and military technology.
The Ukrainian military revealed that the attack on Berdyansk occurred at 04:00 local time, followed by the assault on Luhansk at 11:00 local time. Notably, Berdyansk is situated approximately 85km away from the nearest front line, while Luhansk is almost 100km away. The front line has witnessed ongoing clashes, particularly in Ukrainian-held towns like Avdiivka, Kupyansk, and Lyman, which have been subjected to intensive shelling from Russian forces in recent days. Furthermore, Ukraine’s emergency services reported the destruction of a dormitory building in Slovyansk due to a Russian attack. The incident left two individuals trapped under the rubble. In Odesa, Russian drones that were shot down resulted in damage to a yacht club and several yachts, but thankfully, no casualties were reported.
To regain control over the eastern and southern territories occupied by Russia, Ukraine has launched a major counter-offensive. However, progress has been slow so far. As part of its strategy to undermine Russia’s war effort, Ukraine has frequently conducted air attacks on Russian positions. In response, Russia has been targeting Ukrainian positions around Avdiivka and Kupyansk, resulting in heavy casualties for the Russian forces, according to Ukrainian reports.
The claim made by Ukraine regarding the destruction of Russian helicopters and equipment in Berdyansk and Luhansk holds significant implications for the ongoing conflict between the two nations. If confirmed, Ukraine’s successful strike not only signifies its determination to combat Russian aggression but could also potentially weaken Russia’s military capabilities in the region. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that at present, there is no independent verification of the attack. Additionally, the lack of response from the Russian military adds to the uncertainty surrounding the veracity of Ukraine’s claims. Consequently, further confirmation and analysis are required to ascertain the true impact of this attack on the conflict dynamics between Ukraine and Russia.
