Ukraine’s military has said it used U.S.-supplied HIMARS to destroy four Russian helicopters in a single strike, targeting what it described as a concealed Russian jump pad in Belgorod, western Russia.
Drone footage released by the Ukrainian military shows the four missile strikes, each followed by large explosions.
According to Ukrainian officials, the attack destroyed two Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters and two Mi-8 Hip transport helicopters.
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces said in a statement: “In another coordinated strike, the enemy’s illusion of safety deep behind the front lines was shattered.
“Once again, we have shown that nothing is out of reach for our units. The work continues.”
The attack, which reportedly took place in recent days, was carried out by Ukraine's Special Operations Forces in cooperation with military intelligence (HUR) and artillery and missile forces.
The details of the attack were announced on Monday, the same day as U.S. and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a broad ceasefire in Ukraine.
The Ka-52 Alligator is a high-performance attack helicopter employed by Russian forces for ground assault and reconnaissance missions, while the Mi-8 serves a crucial logistical role, transporting personnel and equipment and supporting ground operations.
The Russian aircraft were stationed at what Ukrainian officials described as a concealed “jump site”—a makeshift forward base set up for rapid helicopter deployment or surprise assaults on Ukrainian positions.
Belgorod, which borders Ukraine’s eastern regions of Sumy, Kharkiv and Luhansk, is regularly used by Russian forces to launch attacks on Ukrainian territory.
The operation adds to a series of precision strikes carried out by Ukrainian forces behind Russian lines.
Last week, the HUR reported hitting multiple targets in Russian-occupied Crimea, including air defense systems and a Mi-8 helicopter.
