Russian propagandists claim painful losses among army aviation pilots after a strike on an airfield in occupied Berdiansk.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine hit an airbase with Russian helicopters on the night of October 17.

Local eyewitnesses reported on social media a series of explosions and the detonation of ammunition at the military facility.

Russian propagandist Ilya Tumanov, who runs the aviation-themed Fighterbomber channel, posted on Tuesday morning that the hit was one of the most painful since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

He said that the Russian invasion forces suffered losses in aircrew and aircraft.

Other Russian propagandists related to aviation also noted the Ukrainian strike on the airfield in Berdiansk and the losses among the invaders. Satellite data also indicate fires at the airfield.

The Russians claim that the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly used ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles with cluster warheads to strike the airfield where army helicopters were based.

The propagandists complain that the Russian military did not prepare for the possible use of such missiles by the Ukrainian Defense Forces and therefore suffered significant losses.

Russians continue to build fortifications to protect aircraft at the Berdiansk airfield. Satellite imagery captured more than 20 Russian helicopters stationed there as of September 29.

Details

On Tuesday morning, the AFU Strategic Communications reported that on the night of October 17, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully hit helicopters and equipment of the Russian invasion forces at airfields near occupied Berdiansk. Local residents and eyewitnesses report that there were hits to the airfield where the Russian military is based.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also stated in a morning report that “Ukrainian troops hit two helicopters on landing sites, an ammunition depot, and an enemy artillery vehicle,” without specifying the exact site of the incident.

The report does not outline the kind of weapons used or the damage caused to the aggressor.