Ukraine’s military mounted its largest drone attack on Russian airfields since the 2022 invasion, targeting four key sites deep inside Russian territory with dozens of drones overnight, as its forces continued their advance in the Kursk region of southern Russia.
After rushing reinforcements to Kursk and announcing a “counterterrorism” operation led by top commanders, Russian forces have failed to halt the nine-day incursion, despite daily announcements from military officials that Ukrainian forces had been stopped.
A Ukrainian intelligence official said that Kyiv attacked an air base in Savasleyka, more than 400 miles from the Ukrainian border, near Nizhny Novgorod. The base houses MiG-31 warplanes that launch Kinzhal missiles, among Russia’s most advanced weapons. About 10 explosions were reported at the base, according to Russian independent media, quoting locals.
Air raid alerts sound in Kyiv and across Ukraine — sometimes numerous times in one day — each time an MiG-31 takes off, as Kinzhal missiles have the capability of striking locations throughout the country.
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“We are waiting for satellite photos with destroyed Russian fighters and warehouses,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.
Nizhny Novgorod governor Gleb Nikitin said on the social media site Telegram that Russian air defenses were working to suppress the attack and “minimize the consequences.” He said no casualties had been reported.
Video aired on Russian Telegram channels showed a distant fiery blast, followed by the sound of a large explosion. Another showed a drone flying overhead.
Ukraine has had success destroying Russian warplanes with drone attacks on airfields deep inside Russian territory, but is barred by its Western partners from using Western weapons, such as long-range missiles, to do so.
In addition to Savasleyka, the official said there were attacks on airfields in Voronezh, Borisoglebsk and Kursk, targeting bases for warplanes that fire the heavy glide bombs, locally known as KABs, that have devastated Ukrainian defenses over the past year.
After rushing reinforcements to Kursk and announcing a “counterterrorism” operation led by top commanders, Russian forces have failed to halt the nine-day incursion, despite daily announcements from military officials that Ukrainian forces had been stopped.
A Ukrainian intelligence official said that Kyiv attacked an air base in Savasleyka, more than 400 miles from the Ukrainian border, near Nizhny Novgorod. The base houses MiG-31 warplanes that launch Kinzhal missiles, among Russia’s most advanced weapons. About 10 explosions were reported at the base, according to Russian independent media, quoting locals.
Air raid alerts sound in Kyiv and across Ukraine — sometimes numerous times in one day — each time an MiG-31 takes off, as Kinzhal missiles have the capability of striking locations throughout the country.
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Follow World news
“We are waiting for satellite photos with destroyed Russian fighters and warehouses,” the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.
Nizhny Novgorod governor Gleb Nikitin said on the social media site Telegram that Russian air defenses were working to suppress the attack and “minimize the consequences.” He said no casualties had been reported.
Video aired on Russian Telegram channels showed a distant fiery blast, followed by the sound of a large explosion. Another showed a drone flying overhead.
Ukraine has had success destroying Russian warplanes with drone attacks on airfields deep inside Russian territory, but is barred by its Western partners from using Western weapons, such as long-range missiles, to do so.
In addition to Savasleyka, the official said there were attacks on airfields in Voronezh, Borisoglebsk and Kursk, targeting bases for warplanes that fire the heavy glide bombs, locally known as KABs, that have devastated Ukrainian defenses over the past year.
