UKRaine Hits RUssian Forces with US-Sent Missiles for the first time; UKR Uses ATACMS in Strikes On RU Forces in Luhansk, Berdiansk; UKR Claims a Major Strike on RU Airfields; RUs Conduct Unsuccessful Attacks on 6 Fronts, LIVE UPDATES and MORE

NY POST: Ukraine hits Russian forces with US-sent missiles for the first time:

Ukraine destroyed nine Russian helicopters on the eastern front early Tuesday, deploying longer-range missiles recently provided by the US government for the first time.

The attack, dubbed “Operation Dragonfly,” targeted Russian forces in occupied Berdyansk on the Sea of Azov, as well as an airfield in Luhansk in the Donbas region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in an evening address that his forces had used the long-range ATACMS — Army Tactical Missile Systems — saying the weapons “executed very accurately” and “have proven themselves.”

In addition to the Russian helicopters, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces claimed that a Russian anti-aircraft missile system and an ammunition warehouse were destroyed and runways were damaged.

“Losses in the enemy’s manpower amount to dozens of dead and wounded. Bodies are still being pulled from the rubble,” the service wrote on Telegram.

“ATACMS is already with us. The airfield in Berdyansk with enemy equipment was hit by them. Thanks to our partners! And Russians are already publishing photos,” Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko posted on X.

President Biden greenlit the delivery of the missile systems last month after repeated requests from Kyiv, but US officials had declined to say when or how many systems would be provided.

ATACMS can hit targets at a range of up to 180 miles, though the version sent to Ukraine have a shorter range and carry cluster munitions, which, when fired, open in the air, releasing hundreds of bomblets rather than a single warhead. —>READ MORE HERE

Ukraine uses ATACMS for first time in strikes on Russian forces in Luhansk, Berdiansk:

Ukraine struck Russian forces with the U.S.-supplied long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), marking their first usage on the battlefield, unnamed U.S. officials confirmed to CNN on Oct. 17.

The missiles, previously unknown to have even been deployed in Ukraine, were reportedly used in overnight strikes against Russian military airfields in occupied Luhansk and Berdiansk that were reported on Oct. 17.

The strikes reportedly destroyed nine helicopters, an air defense system, an ammunition warehouse, and other airfield infrastructure.

Dozens of Russian soldiers were also killed and wounded in the attacks, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces claimed.

Debates and premature announcements about the U.S.’ delivery of ATACMS to Ukraine have been regularly reported for months, but no official date was ever announced.

Their delivery was deliberately kept secret, the unnamed officials said, because they were concerned that Russian forces would move equipment out of the missile’s range if they knew when they would arrive.

ATACMS can hit targets deep behind the front line at a range of up to 300 kilometers and can be launched from M270 multiple rocket launchers or the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

However, photos of the missile debris shared on Russian Telegram and Twitter indicate that the missiles used likely belonged to an older class of missile, with a range of 160 kilometers.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, unnamed sources confirmed that the missiles provided have a range of about 160 kilometers. —>READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to +++++relevant+++++ and related stories:

+++++Russia-Ukraine News LATEST UPDATES: (REUTERS) (AP) (NY POST) and (WSJ)+++++

+++++Ukraine claims a major strike on Russian airfields and thanks US for providing long-range missiles+++++

+++++Russians conduct unsuccessful attacks on 6 fronts – General Staff report+++++

Ukrainian defenders kill 800 Russian soldiers and destroy 26 artillery systems in a day



Ukrainian brigade commander: Russian regular troops are literally done



Ukraine’s special forces say they destroyed 9 Russian helicopters in occupied territories



Russians completely lose opportunities for counteroffensive south of Bakhmut



VOA: US military says all 31 Abrams tanks arrived in Ukraine



Russia Suffers Heavy Losses in Avdiivka as Ukraine Frontline Stalls



Ukraine war latest: Putin holds talks with Xi; Lavrov says North Korea will help Moscow win



Russia increasingly relying on outdated equipment – Ukrainian resistance



Russians failing to advance towards Kupyansk, reducing intensity of attacks



Bloomberg: Biden plans to ask Congress for $100 billion in Israel, Ukraine aid



Army of Drones’ operators destroy 428 enemy equipment units in a week



European Parliament votes to support $53 billion financing package for Ukraine’s recovery



Zelensky: Destroying enemy, protecting Ukrainians foundation of country’s existence



How Russia’s liberal tech companies became the foundation of Putin’s war effort

Source