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Ukraine destroys 4 Russian helicopters in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, military claims

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Ukraine destroys 4 Russian helicopters in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, military claims
A screenshot of footage shared by Ukraine's Special Operation Forces that purports to show two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters destroyed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast (Special Operation Forces / Telegram)

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces destroyed two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters by missile strikes in the Russian rear in Belgorod Oblast, the military branch reported on March 24.

Russian forces had reportedly established a landing site for the aircraft — a camouflaged position for rapid airborne operations and surprise attacks on Ukrainian forces.

The Ka-52 "Alligator" is designed for reconnaissance and precision strikes, while the Mi-8 serves as a versatile transport and assault helicopter. Both have been actively used in Russia's war against Ukraine.

According to the special forces, the helicopters were destroyed deep in the rear by missile strikes, including those fired from a HIMARS rocket launcher.

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Footage shared by Ukraine's Special Operation Forces that purports to show two Russian Ka-52 and two Mi-8 helicopters destroyed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast (Special Operation Forces / Telegram)

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces carried out the operation in cooperation with military intelligence (HUR) and artillery and missile forces.

"Once again, (Russia) thought deep rear positions were unattainable. We proved that nothing is out of reach for Ukraine's Special Operations Forces," the unit said in a statement.

Belgorod Oblast, which borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk oblasts, is regularly used by Russian forces to launch attacks on Ukrainian territory.

Russian authorities have repeatedly accused Ukraine of striking Belgorod Oblast and Belgorod city since the start of the full-scale war. Recently, Moscow claimed it had thwarted a Ukrainian incursion into the region, which Kyiv denied.

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Tim Zadorozhnyy

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Tim Zadorozhnyy is a reporter at The Kyiv Independent, covering foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations and European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa, working there for two years from the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. After relocating to Warsaw, he spent a year and a half at the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, initially as a news anchor and later as managing editor.

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