Summary Ukraine damaged Russian hangers and fighter jets in major drone strike. Satellite images show Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Borisoglebsk Air Base in Russia. Ukraine has launched many drone attacks on Russian air bases, resulting in lost aircraft.
On Thursday, Ukraine launched a major drone strike on multiple Russian air bases, and it appears they caused at least some damage. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has continued to take a breathtaking number of twists and turns. The latest raids on Russian air bases highlight just how much Russia's "Special Military Operation" (which Western intelligence says intended to take Kyiv in three days) continues to backfire.
In another drone strike in June, Ukraine claimed the world's first fifth-generation fighter jet was destroyed in combat by striking a Su-57 Felon on the ground. Ukraine damages Russian hangers and fighter jets History seems to have a sense of irony as Russia is now scrambling to counter the Ukrainian invasion of Russia. As Ukraine's counter-invasion of Russia's Kursk Oblast continues to unfold, Ukraine launched what may have been the largest drone attack on Russian air bases during the war so far.
The four air bases reported to have been targeted are, "Baltimore" (Voronezh), Khalino (Kursk), Savasleyka (Nizhny Novgorod), Borisoglebsk (Voronezh). The Associated Press analyzed satellite images and found that the Ukrainian drone strikes appear to have damaged at least two hangers. The hangers are located at Borisoglebsk Air Base, and a field of debris can be seen around both hangers.
It is unclear what the hangers were used for and if any fighter jets were inside (although some sources claim they are maintenance hangers). Borisoglebsk is the home base of the 209th Training Aviation Base, which operates Yak-130, Su-25, and L-39 jets. During the war, Su-34 bombers and Su-35S fighter jets have also been stationed there.
Borisoglebsk is a home-base of the 209th Training Aviation Base operating Yak-130, Su-25, L-39 jets. Su-34 bombers and Su-35S fighter jets taking part in operations against Ukraine are also stationed there. The Associated Press added that the strike may also have damaged two fighter aircraft at the base.
The Associated Press noted a burn mark at Russia's Savasleika Air Base, which is used to station Russia's MiG-31 jets. However, the satellite images did not show damaged jets. Facing a whirlwind of troubles, Russia's days of exporting large numbers of fighter jets could be over.
An ongoing campaign Ukraine has launched many drone attacks on Russian air force bases and Russia has lost dozens of aircraft in the strikes. A similar attack on the Taganrog Air Base in March could have destroyed a valuable Beriev A50U AWACS aircraft, but satellite photos do not show if there were aircraft in the hanger. An earlier strike on Russia's Morozovsk Airbase not only spectacularly destroyed weapons warehouses but also a Su-34 fighter bomber.
It is not clear how many fighter jets Russia has lost in the war so far, but the Oryx blog catalogs some 32 confirmed destroyed or damaged Su-34 fighter bombers (the real number is likely considerably higher). Russia is thought to be able to produce 6 to 10 Su-34s per year ..
