Russia gains ‘advantage’ in southern Ukraine after reinforcing attack helicopter force

Russia has gained a “temporary advantage” in southern Ukraine after reinforcing its attack helicopter force in the region, British defence chiefs said.

In its latest intelligence update, the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Russia redeployed extra helicopters in a bid to push back against the Ukrainian counter-offensive in the region.

The MoD said: “Imagery shows that over 20 extra Russian helicopters deployed to Berdyansk Airport, approximately 100km behind the front line.

“In the constant contest between aviation measures and counter-measures, it is likely that Russia has gained a temporary advantage in southern Ukraine, especially with attack helicopters employing longer-range missiles against ground targets.”

It comes after the Russian military claimed on Friday that its forces had repelled numerous attempted counterattacks by the Ukrainian army at different frontline locations, inflicting heavy losses.

The defence ministry in Moscow said it used ground troops, air strikes and artillery to repel Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region. The ministry claimed to have killed around 500 Ukrainian soldiers and destroyed five tanks.

Explosions were also heard in Kyiv yesterday, shortly after African leaders arrived in the Ukrainian capital on a peace mission.

The city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said the blasts were caused by air defence systems shooting down Russian missiles near the city. There were no reports of injuries or damaged buildings.