Ukraine 'destroys Russian helicopters in Berdyansk and Luhansk'
Ukraine says it has destroyed nine Russian helicopters in an air strike on two cities in the Russian-occupied east of the country.
Ukraine says it has destroyed nine Russian helicopters in an air strike on two cities in the Russian-occupied east of the country.
A special forces statement said an air defence system and other equipment were hit, as well as a munitions dump, in the cities of Berdyansk and Luhansk.
Dozens of Russian troops were killed or injured in the operation, it added.
There has been no independent confirmation of the attack, and no comment from the Russian military.
The Ukrainian military said the attack on Berdyansk happened at 04:00 local time (01:00 GMT) and on Luhansk at 11:00 local time.
Berdyansk is approximately 85km (53 miles) from the nearest front line while Luhansk is almost 100km away.
Clashes have continued to be reported along the front line, including around the Ukrainian-held towns of Avdiivka, Kupyansk and Lyman, which have been coming under heavy bombardment from Russian forces in recent days.
