American ATACMS missiles were finally delivered to Ukraine and were used for the first time to attack russian military facilities on october 17. Read more about how many and what modification of ATACMS the Ukrainian forces received

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The Armed Forces of Ukraine received the first ATACMS missiles from the United States and on the night of October 17, they struck at russian military targets in the occupied cities of Luhansk and Berdiansk. Here's how successful the operation was and what kind of missiles were delivered to Ukraine.

In the early morning, reports from so-called russian military commanders appeared on the Internet that Ukraine had launched one of the most successful, if not the most successful, strikes against the rear of russian troops.

They reported heavy losses in personnel and equipment, suggesting that due to the impotence of air defense, such an attack could only have been carried out with the help of American long-range ATACMS missiles.

Later in the day, information about the successful strikes by Ukrainian forces with US missiles began to leak out from multiple sources, including OSINT analysts who had seen footage of the remnants of the missiles that had launched the attack.

Later, the Wall Street Journal, citing its sources, reported that this was indeed the first Ukrainian ATACMS strike.

In the evening, it became official that Ukraine had used American long-range missiles for the first time, as confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

What targets were hit?

The Armed Forces of Ukraine struck at helicopters and equipment of the russian occupation forces at airfields near occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk.

Later, the Armed Forces of Ukraine provided details of the DRAGONFLY operation. The military received information about a significant number of aircraft and special equipment, as well as ammunition at the airfield. After verification, the coordinates and necessary data were transferred to the units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces for destruction.

Thus, the attack destroyed:

• 9 helicopters of various modifications;

• special equipment that was at the airfields

• an air defense launcher;

• an ammunition depot.

In addition, the runways of the airfields were damaged. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the ammunition depot in Berdiansk detonated by 4 a.m., and the detonation in Luhansk lasted until 11 a.m. Enemy losses in manpower amounted to dozens of dead and wounded.

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How many and what kind of missiles did Ukraine receive from the United States?

According to The New York Times, citing officials, the United States has provided Ukraine with about 20 long-range ATACMS missiles. The missiles provided to Ukraine are cluster munitions that scatter 950 small bombs that can cause damage over a large area.

This type of missile allows Ukraine to deliver powerful strikes at a range of up to 165 kilometers. 

As for the modification, Ukraine received MGM-140 missiles, a basic version of the missile with an inertial control system and a cluster warhead containing 950 M74 warheads. The range is up to 165 km.

We remind you! Recently, there have been more statements from the russian federation about Ukraine's use of Soviet C-200 missiles for strikes. We will tell you here whether Ukraine has converted outdated missiles into new ballistic weapons and whether this complex can replace Western weapons.

Photo: Getty Images

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