In total, Ukrainian defense forces destroyed 14 russian helicopters through ATACMS missile strikes at the airfields in Berdiansk, the Zaporizhzhia oblast, and Luhansk on October 17. This is expected to significantly affect russia's capability to defend and launch offensives in these respective areas. This is stated in the report of the British Ministry of Defense, published on the social network X (Twitter) on October 20.
"Given that russian fixed wing close air support to date has been extremely poor, russian defensive lines have become increasingly reliant on rotary wing support in the face of the Ukrainian offensive. Berdiansk was being used as a primary Forward Operating Base on the southern axis providing both logistics and offensive/defensive capabilities. If confirmed, it is highly likely these losses will have an impact on russia's ability both to defend and conduct further offensive activity on this axis", - the report says.
British intelligence also believes that given the current strain on russian military production, the confirmed loss of any air frames will be difficult to replace in the short to medium term.
"This loss will also likely create additional pressure on russia's pilots and air frames, already almost certainly suffering combat exhaustion and maintenance issues due to the unanticipated protracted campaign. There is a realistic possibility this strike will compel russia to once again relocate its operating bases and command and control nodes farther from the front lines, increasing the burden on logistics chains", - the report also states.
It was previously reported that the defense forces destroyed an aircraft, six helicopters and more than 600 occupiers on October 17.