Operation Dragonfly

Operation Dragonfly Ukrainian: Операція «Dragonfly»
Part of Russo-Ukrainian War
Date October 17, 2023 Location Luhansk International Airport and Berdiansk Airport
Belligerents
Ukraine	Russia
Units involved
Ukrainian Armed Forces	Russian Aerospace Forces
Casualties and losses
None	According to Ukraine: at least 9 helicopters a surface-to-air missile several special vehicles Supply depots and airport runways damaged

Operation Dragonfly（Ukrainian: Операція «Dragonfly»）was an operation conducted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on October 17, 2023 during the Russo-Ukrainian War, where it focused on striking logistical points that the Russian military used for supplying efforts.

History

This operation mainly targeted the Luhansk International Airport in the east and Berdiansk Airport in the south. During the operation, the Special Operations Forces used MGM-140 ATACMS for the attack, which led to the heavy losses of helicopters of the Russian Air Force. The Ukrainians also succeeded in destroying the airport runways, numerous supply depots, and even some air defense systems. The Ukrainians also claimed to have caused manpower losses, but it cannot be confirmed.

The fires created due to the burning of equipment at the Berdiansk Airport was visible from NASA's FIRMS. According to Russia, there were shrapnel of M74 Bomblets found at the scene, which likely originated from the ATACMS Block IA (M39A1) that the Ukrainians used for the attack. More shrapnel found later proved that the Ukrainians used ATACMS for the operation. which is likely the first time that it has been used in Ukraine. Prior to this incident, there had been fears from American leaders that the supply of ATACMS would lead to an "escalation of tensions", which American Ben Hodges criticized has "created sanctuary for the Russians".