Available satellite images make it possible to estimate the losses of Russian aviation in occupied Berdiansk at nine aircraft (four Mi-8s and five Ka-52s), and in Luhansk at five aircraft (of unknown model). In all likelihood, many of them were damaged rather than destroyed, but even if it's possible to repair them, the repairs will take a long time. The airfields were attacked with U.S. ATACMS missiles, which had been secretly transferred to Ukraine by the United States.
According to Oryx, the total confirmed losses of Russian helicopters since the start of the war amounted to 115 aircraft. In other words, a single attack with multiple ATACMS missiles on the night of October 17 accounted for more than 10% of the confirmed losses of Russia's Air Force helicopters.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed Ukraine’s use of ATACMS missiles. “Our agreements with President Biden are being fulfilled. Fulfilled in a very targeted manner. The ATACMS have proven themselves. Glory to Ukraine,” Zelensky said on the evening of October 17.
