What we were able to see in the defence of Pokrovsk was elite Ukrainian forces inserted into the fight by two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. This was a small team of 11 riflemen in each helicopter engaged in a quick insertion with Blackhawk helicopters sweeping in, touching down just long enough for the riflemen to disembark before evacuating the area whilst the commandos sought cover.

I see the reports, mostly by Russian supporters where the whole crew was wiped out by drones in a very short time period. These claims are unsubstantiated, so I do not place much reliability in these claims. The Ukrainian side denies they were eliminated, whilst I have seen counter reports, I really don’t know if these fighters are still alive. Apparently these guys opened a corridor for retreating Ukrainian fighters, so I am guessing these guys made it out, they did their job and retreated to safety with the guys they saved.

I would hazard to guess they would have some losses, but they are still operating in a forward zone. Clearly, there is operational security applied here, the Ukrainians are not going to give away information that could endanger their lives. This was a bold move by Ukraine, these were brave men who took on this mission to defend their country. Because of the drones and the air defences used by both nations, helicopters are not used all that much, this is why this is such a brazen act, this was the art of surprise.