Against the background of the extremely successful defeat of the air base of the russian army aviation in Berdyansk, the parallel strike by ATACMS on a similar object in Luhansk remained in the shadows. But satellite images have now appeared that answer the question - how many helicopters were destroyed on it.
According to images by Planet Labs, published by the founder of the Frontelligence Insight community, Tatarigami_UA, at least five helicopters, among which several Ka-52s can be identified, were hit at an airbase near Luhansk.
Read more: New Details About Strikes on Airfields in Luhansk and Berdyansk Revealed: How Many and Which Targets Were Destroyed
The degree of damage to each of the helicopters is difficult to assess due to the fact that the hitting elements of the cluster ATACMS are rather miniature M74 submunitions with a diameter of 6 cm and a weight of 600 grams each. But the fact that the strike was carried out on October 17, and in the picture from October 18, all the helicopters remained in place, may indicate that they may be damaged with a high probability.
It was also noticed in the picture that some aircraft lacked blades, in addition, traces of fuel and lubricants were recorded.
The crater on the site also attracts attention. The fact is that it should not have formed if it was an ATACMS missile with a cluster warhead. But the reason for its origin may be different. In particular, a satellite image from October 10 shows a helicopter in the area of the future crater.
In theory, at the time of the strike, there could be a helicopter equipped to be used in combat, so after its possible damage, the detonation of the ammunition could well have occurred. According to another version, there could be some aviation ammunition stored, the explosion of which could cause the crater to appear.
It also cannot be ruled out that an ATACMS missile with a cluster warhead, or not only such a missile, was used to strike the air base in occupied Luhansk.
In any case, the analysis of the available satellite images allows us to conclude that the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to hit five enemy helicopters on the airfield in Luhansk. Another 10 helicopters that were hit in Berdyansk can be added to this number.
That is, in general, the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to hit about one and a quarter dozen helicopters. In fairness, it should be noted that some of these helicopters can be restored, or, as a result of additional defecting, be classified as destroyed. In view of this, the Command of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the guaranteed destruction of 9 russian helicopters.
As Defense Express reported, Ukraine's Military Hit Russia's Army Aviation Airfields, Enemy Howled and Complained About ATACMS.
Read more: How Many russian Helicopters Were Hit By the Ukrainian Strike in Berdyansk, Whether ATACMS Was Used (Satellite imagery)
