Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence said Tuesday that a “powerful explosion occurred at the air base of the Russian Armed Forces “Veretier” on the night of October 31.”While not claiming a Ukrainian sabotage unit carried out the attack, it said that “as a result of mining, two Russian attack (KA-52) helicopters and one MI-28N were completely destroyed.The Telegram channel Baza said: “At around 10 pm [on October 31], the military personnel of the unit heard several explosions, and then saw the scattered wreckage of two helicopters.The reason for the Ka-52 explosion is unknown.”Symbolism of the sabotageSuch an audacious attack, so far from home soil, would be a first for Ukraine’s special forces.Ukrainian officials typically refuse to go on the record about any attacks in Russia itself, or even in annexed Crimea, but there have been several attacks much closer to Ukrainian territory since the Russian invasion began.And it’s still unknown whether a devastating attack on a Russian air force base in Crimea in August was carried out by special forces on the ground or missiles."