Russian military using air base in Melitopol - CNN

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, CNN reports this with reference to satellite images from BlackSky.

"At least seven helicopters are seen at the air base in a satellite image taken on May 12 at 3:58 p.m. local time. Only one helicopter is seen in a satellite image from May 7 at 6:02 a.m," the article reads.

CNN says that the use of the air base by the Russians is important, given its strategic location between the occupied cities of Kherson, Mariupol and parts of the Russian-backed separatist-held Donbas region.

"Although the air base is deep within Russian-occupied territory, it doesn't mean the aircraft there are safe. In late March, Ukrainian forces successfully targeted the airport outside of Kherson, blowing up a number of Russian military helicopters," CNN wrote.

As a result of that successful Ukrainian military strike, the Russian military has had to largely abandon the airport as a base for its aircraft.