Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted that US-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles were used to strike Russian helicopters in key airports controlled by Moscow’s forces.

Kyiv hit Russian airfields, equipment and personnel, destroying nine helicopters near the cities of Luhansk and Berdyansk, the military said on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian president suggested that US-supplied ATACMS missiles were responsible for the strikes. 

“I am grateful to those who are effectively destroying the occupiers’ logistics and bases on our land. There are results. I am grateful to some of our partners – the weapons are effective, as we agreed,” he said.

The attack, which occurred early Tuesday morning, was “one of the most serious strikes in all of the duration of SMO (Special Military Operation)”, according to the Russian military blogger “Fighterbomber”, who has links to the air force. 

Russian officials denied the strikes on Berdiansk were successful.

“According to preliminary information, our air defence system successfully intercepted enemy rockets,” Rogov said on the Telegram. “Information about victims and possible damage is being clarified.”