The much-anticipated delivery of the US-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) has been confirmed as a Russian airbase in occupied Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhia sustained significant damage to multiple aircraft and air defense equipment following a strike on the night of Oct. 16, 2023.

Russian analysis of the aftermath confirmed sub munition pods and projectiles belonging to the ATACMS in the wreckage. The Ukrainian SSO also reported a strike on a Russian airbase in Luhansk at the same time, although the munition type for that attack hasn't been confirmed.

Ukrainian forces claim at least nine Russian helicopters of varying model were destroyed in last night's strikes. If those numbers are legitimate, this would be the single greatest loss of Russian aircraft in history. In addition to the destroyed aircraft; anti air systems, munitions depots, and runways were destroyed and damaged in the events.

The arrival of ATACMS is significant as the missiles can reach all of Crimea and deep into Russia and Belarus. However, their quantity is limited and likely not the "game changer" it was hyped up to be like the artillery cluster munitions and Western tanks previously hyped.

About the Author

Will Killmore

Will Killmore is a US Army combat infantry veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He has deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the 172nd Stryker Brigade and 173rd Airborne Brigade. Following his time in service, he successfully pursued a certificate of journalism and has been a blogger for Funker530 since 2014. Follow Will’s bad takes on Twitter