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Day 251: Russia moves occupation administration of Kherson to Skadovsk

What is known about Russian attack helicopters blown up at airfield in Pskov region

Russian attack helicopters were blown up at the Veretye airfield in Russia’s Pskov region, far from the Russia-Ukraine border and deep in the Russian rear. The incident got a lot of attention.  

On the morning of October 31, pro-Kremlin Telegram channels reported the incident at the Veretye airfield located not far from the Russia-Latvia border. Three explosions rocked the airfield, a source told Russia’s REN TV.

Later, the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirmed a massive explosion at the Veretye airfield on the night of October 30 into October 31. 

Two Ka-52s Alligator attack helicopters and a Mi-28H helicopter were fully destroyed, and two more were seriously damaged, Ukraine’s defense intelligence said. Russia’s Defense Ministry did not comment on the incident. 

Sever.Realii, a RFE/RL project released more details of the incident that coincide with what appears on a video that surfaced. “There were two explosions in the engine part of two helicopters staged by saboteurs. (…) Someone infiltrated the base, planted explosives in the engine part of two helicopters and blew them up. There wasn’t even a flash as explosions happened inside the engine part,” a source told Sever.Realii.

Russia moves occupying administration of Kherson to Skadovsk, Ukraine’s General Staff says

The Russian occupying government in Kherson region has moved its administration further south to Skadovsk. The Russian forces continue forced evacuation of civilians, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in an evening report on November 1.  

“The Russian occupying forces continue to forcibly move civilians in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region. They intimidate civilians with reports of possible blast of the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. Local residents are cut off from communication channels. The Russian occupying government in Kherson region has moved its administration to Skadovsk,” the statement said. 

Poland-Ukraine friendship in face of Russia aggression. Ukraine in Flames #236 

The Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych, Polish Senator Bogdan Klich, and the Polish Ambasador to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki discuss Poland’s support of Ukraine.