As of: January 27, 2024, 4:36 p.m
By: Yekaterina Jalunina
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Press
Split
Photo from July 27th: A Russian attack helicopter during an attack in the Luhansk region © Evgeny Biyatov/Imago
Russia is relocating its helicopter operations in Crimea.
A new base called Volna becomes the center of activity.
Simferopol - Russian forces continue to use a recovery base called Volna (translated Wave) on the Arabat Spit in the Crimean region they occupy for helicopter operations.
This is reported by Ukrainian reserve officer and OSINT analyst
Tatarigami_UA
on
X
(formerly Twitter).
The trade magazine Defense Express
also
reports on it.
In addition, satellite images should show the relocation of aircraft from Chaplynka airfield to the new location.
This information came to light after Ukraine's security service carried out several drone attacks on Russian troops in the occupied Crimean peninsula, including an attack on a military helipad.
According to Tatarigami_UA
's analysis,
in response to the advance of the Ukrainian Defense Forces towards Kherson, the Russian leadership decided to relocate its helicopters from the Chaplynka air base.
The Arabat Spit in Crimea was chosen as the new base for their attack helicopters.
The construction of this air base, which began in autumn 2022, includes 20 helipads and serves as a base for various types of helicopters such as Mi-8, Mi-24, Ka-52 and possibly Mi-28.
A photo from May 20 last year shows ten aircraft at this base, according to
Defense Express
.
However, according to
Tatarigami_UA
, there are no more than three to four helicopters at the base at any one time, with the machines appearing to be more dispersed.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already gained experience in destroying enemy helicopters at air bases in temporarily occupied territories.
ATACMS missiles with cassette warheads were used for this purpose, although only a limited number of them were delivered to Ukraine.
(
jek
)