Two out of three Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopters had been destroyed by Russian loitering munitions, probably Lancets. The third is suspected to have been broken but managed to launch. Video of the incident emerged round 24 hours in the past, prompting quite a few questions, primarily about how Ukraine misplaced these two essential property.
The incident occurred in Ukraine, oriented in the direction of Donetsk. A drone captured footage of the Russian assault. Parked brazenly beside a minor street, three helicopters had landed and had been getting ready to launch. Based mostly on Ukrainian and Russian sources, they’d been loaded with ammunition. Proof of this declare may be seen within the footage of a navy truck departing from the destruction web site. By the point of the assault, the truck had already reached a 1 km distance from the situation. Within the video’s opening scene, because the three helicopters begin their rotor blades, the truck may be seen close to the helicopters.
The next pictures transition to a second the place the helicopters are grounded once more, their blades idle. The probably trigger may have been the preliminary barrage of cluster munitions, which, though they didn’t obliterate the helicopters, most likely inflicted ample injury through shrapnel to floor them. A kamikaze drone is then seen putting the primary helicopter, inflicting it to erupt in flames. A related destiny adopted for the second helicopter.
32.4 miles
It seems that earlier than the 2 helicopters had been destroyed, the third managed to take off. Both it didn’t maintain any vital injury, or it wasn’t substantial sufficient to hinder it from getting airborne. The standing of the crew from the 2 downed helicopters stays unknown. There’s a risk of their survival however that is still speculative.
The positioning the place the 2 helicopters had been destroyed is extraordinarily profound. Positioned between the settlements of Muravka and Novopovlivka within the Donetsk area, this discipline lies simply 32.4 miles [50 km] from the closest frontline combating, because the crow flies. These two villages and the intervening discipline signify a stark distance from the warmth of battle.
Provided that the helicopters had been dispatched by drones, it’s curious to notice that these drones managed to traverse 32 miles unchallenged by means of Ukrainian-controlled territory earlier than crashing into the helicopters. Moreover, video footage signifies using cluster munitions, suggesting the involvement of one other Russian airborne unit deep throughout the Ukrainian navy’s rear strains. It’s believable to presume the involvement of Russian helicopters, or maybe assault plane such because the Su-25, although this stays unconfirmed at this level.
These incidents do solid a obvious gentle on the fight readiness of Ukrainian air defenses throughout the space if any had been current in any respect. In any other case, what had been the three helicopters doing in a area the place the airspace isn’t below safety? As famous by a few analysts, this case illustrates a reckless squandering of property important to Ukraine.
Ukraine is shedding property
Previously 7-8 days, we’ve witnessed a formidable degree of accuracy in Russian strikes on Ukrainian property. The Russians had been the primary to efficiently goal the US-supplied HIMARS MLRS missile system with an Iskander ballistic missile. This destruction has been confirmed by each Ukrainian and Russian sources. Moreover, there’s proof of different HIMARS that had been hit – not destroyed – which have since been taken in for repairs.
Concurrently, or presumably simply earlier than, the Russian Armed Forces managed to obliterate 4 M1 Abrams tanks. Some reviews counsel a fifth, however affirmation on that is nonetheless pending. The Russians additionally confirmed the destruction of the S-300 air protection system. Nevertheless, video proof appears to counsel, in keeping with numerous consultants, that these would possibly really be two launch platforms of the Patriot techniques.
Lastly, roughly 36 hours in the past, each Russia and Ukraine confirmed the lack of a MiG-29 from the Ukrainian Air Drive. Furthermore, there was an unsuccessful try by the Ukrainian army-backed items of the Russian Free Army to cross into Russian territory at checkpoints within the Belgorod area. Merely 4 hours later, a number of infantry autos and a T-64 tank had been destroyed by Russian FSB forces. Coupled with the destruction of two Mi-8 helicopters, Ukraine misplaced important property inside a matter of days.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia acknowledged that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, ensuing within the deaths of 5 Ukrainian fighters. Nevertheless, Ukraine rapidly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable transfer on the identical day, Russia introduced it formally acknowledged the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Apparently, in keeping with Russian President Putin, this recognition lined all of the Ukrainian areas. Following this declaration, Putin despatched a battalion of Russia’s navy forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Quick ahead to February 24, 2022, world headlines had been dominated by a vital incident. Putin commanded a forceful navy assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s spectacular Armed Forces positioned on the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous however a premeditated motion. Regardless of the circumstances resembling a conflict, the Russian authorities refrains from utilizing this time period. They’d quite check with it as a “particular navy operation”.
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