The head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, confirmed that Ukraine carried out a significant military strike on a Russian airbase using at least 70 drones. The attack targeted the Morozovsk airbase in Russia’s Rostov region, nearly 200 miles from the Ukrainian border. Satellite imagery of the airfield near Morozovsk revealed the presence of multiple Su-34 fighter-bombers, which were the primary targets of the assault.
According to security sources, the objective of the operation was to disable the Su-34 jets that Russia has been utilizing to deploy powerful glide bombs on Ukraine. This attack was part of a sustained effort to diminish the capabilities of the Russian Air Force and disrupt their operations in the region. While the exact extent of the damage caused by the drone strike is still being assessed, initial reports from Russian sources suggest that six military personnel were killed in the attack, including two pilots, and over ten were wounded.
This recent attack on the Morozovsk airbase is not the first of its kind, as Ukrainian forces had previously conducted a large drone assault on the site in early April. During that operation, at least six fighter-bombers were destroyed, eight more planes were damaged, and 20 Russian soldiers were killed. A video shared on social media depicted the aftermath of the strikes, showcasing the effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone capabilities in targeting Russian military assets.
The use of glide bombs by Russia represents a significant threat to Ukraine, with some of these projectiles weighing over 3,000 pounds. These cost-effective weapons, which are modified from Soviet-era bombs with added wings and navigation systems, allow Russian bombers to engage targets from a safe distance. This tactic poses a challenge for Ukraine in effectively countering such attacks, as Russian forces can inflict significant damage on Ukrainian targets with relative impunity.
In conclusion, the recent drone strike on the Morozovsk airbase highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides employing advanced military technology to gain strategic advantages. The destruction of Russian fighter-bombers and the disruption of their operations demonstrate Ukraine’s determination to defend its sovereignty and deter Russian aggression in the region.
