Ukrainian Defense Intelligence reports destruction of two Ka-52 attack helicopters on Pskov airfield — 370 miles from Ukraine’s border

Two Ka-52 attack helicopters were destroyed on a Russian airfield in Pskov region’s Ostrov district, as reported by the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence. Ostrov is a Russian town close to the Latvian border. It’s more than 600 kilometers (or 370 miles) removed from Russia’s border with Ukraine.

“A powerful explosion went off at the Veretye military airbase (Pskov region, Ostrov-5) the night before October 31,” says the Ukrainian GUR. Its statement does not credit the Ukrainian side for the incident, and does not explain what caused the explosion.

Earlier, the blast was reported by the Telegram channels Baza and VChK-OGPU. Both of them wrote that the helicopters were stationed for repairs. “The blast was so powerful that pieces of the fuselage were scattered 200 meters around,” Baza wrote. It isn’t clear whether anyone was injured in the incident.

The Russian Defense Ministry does not yet comment on the explosion. When queried by journalists, the Western Military District’s press service promised to reply once the “details” are clarified.

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