HISTORY

reasons, the Ukrainians attacked this airfield

only on June 30, several weeks after the satellite

imagery was published. Prior to that, they had

repeatedly targeted other military facilities

in Berdiansk with Storm Shadow missiles.

After the airfield attack, Russian helicopters

departed from there, and their activity on the

frontlines decreased. The reduction in activity

is also related to the change in Ukrainian tactics

– they deploy less equipment on the front lines

and use consequent infantry attacks in groups.

This lack of targets makes it impractical for

the Ka-52s to risk further losses. At least 39

helicopters of this type have been destroyed

during the war in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the offensive, the

Ukrainian advance has been supported by

strong artillery and missile attacks. These

attacks not only destroy Russian trenches but

also target logistical and command centers

in the rear, as well as Russian artillery. Last

summer, Russian artillery played a significant

role in their offensive, but now it’s merely

a shadow of what it used to be.

Destroyed Dam

However,

what

significantly

altered

Ukrainian plans was the destruction of the

Kakhovka Dam on the Dnieper River. Its 3.2 km

long wall exploded in the central part early

A Russian Ka-52 helicopter with a damaged tail was

captured on video on June 19.

in the morning on June 6, just two days after

the start of the Ukrainian offensive. The dam

held back over 18 cubic kilometers of water,

which flooded the city of Kherson and another

40 villages downstream on both sides of the

Dnieper. Approximately 60 civilians lost their

lives, and the floodwaters took several days to

recede.

Although both sides blamed each other

for the dam’s explosion, it is certain that the

Russians had control over it. The massive dam

The destruction of the Kachovska dam caused enormous damage.

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INFO Eduard

August 2023