Ukraine's military said Thursday it shot down at least four Russian helicopters, "probably Ka-52s" that were providing support to ground troops in just 18 minutes.
The helicopters, nicknamed "Alligators," were brought down while supporting ground occupation troops, Ukraine's Air Force posted on its Telegram channel, stating that "from 08:40 to 08:58 on October 12, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force destroyed at least four enemy attack helicopters (probably Ka-52s), which were providing fire support to the ground occupation forces in the southern direction."
The Air Force also posted a graphic detailing the military's claims of casualties and Russian assets that have been taken down since the war started earlier this year, including at least 63,800 "liquidated personnel," as well as 235 Russian helicopters and 268 airplanes.
Preliminary reports indicated that one of the helicopters came down in a part of southern Ukraine that Kyiv's forces recovered from Russia, with the other three landing behind the front line, reports The New York Post.
Ukraine's Air Force also revealed that attacks were launched at two more of Russia's helicopters, so there may have been more of the aircraft taken out.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense poked at the Russian military on Twitter, posting that there is "no place for Alligators here. The local climate is hostile to them."
"Productive morning, Ukrainian style," the post also said. "Today, in just 18 minutes, service members of #UAarmy shot down 4 Russian helicopters that were spoiling beautiful autumn skies in the south of Ukraine."
The news comes after the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday voted by 143-5, with 35 abstaining, to condemn Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of four regions in Ukraine and to demand the reversal of Moscow's territory grab, marking the strongest support from the assembly for Ukraine since Russia invaded it on Feb. 24.