By Smartencyclopedia, Staff Writer with agencies
Kyiv, Ukraine – 17/10/2023
In a remarkable turn of events on the eastern front, Ukraine launched “Operation Dragonfly,” a successful military campaign targeting Russian forces in occupied Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov and an airfield in Luhansk in the Donbas region. The operation, conducted early Tuesday, marked the first-time deployment of longer-range missiles provided by the US government to Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the use of the long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) in an evening address, praising their precision and effectiveness. President Zelensky expressed gratitude for the US support, stating that the ATACMS missiles “executed very accurately” and “have proven themselves.”
The operation resulted in the destruction of nine Russian helicopters, further bolstering Ukraine’s resolve to defend its territory. Additionally, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reported that a Russian anti-aircraft missile system and an ammunition warehouse were successfully destroyed, while runways at the targeted airfield sustained damage.
The Special Operations Forces issued a statement on Telegram, revealing the extent of the damage inflicted on the enemy: “Losses in the enemy’s manpower amount to dozens of dead and wounded. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble.”
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko also took to social media, posting on X, “ATACMS is already with us. The airfield in Berdyansk with enemy equipment was hit by them. Thanks to our partners! And Russians are already publishing photos.”
The decision to provide Ukraine with the ATACMS missiles was greenlit by President Joe Biden last month, following repeated requests from Kyiv. However, US officials had declined to specify when or how many systems would be supplied to Ukraine.
The ATACMS, which stands for Army Tactical Missile Systems, is known for its long-range capabilities, with the ability to hit targets at a range of up to 180 miles. The version sent to Ukraine, though, has a shorter range and carries cluster munitions. These cluster munitions, when fired, open in the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets, and enhancing the missile’s destructive power.
The success of “Operation Dragonfly” highlights the growing support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russian-backed separatists and Russian forces. This operation signifies Ukraine’s increasing ability to defend its sovereignty and demonstrates the tangible impact of international assistance, particularly from the United States. As the conflict unfolds, the world watches closely to see how this evolving dynamic in the region will shape the future of Ukraine and its relationship with the international community.