Ukrainian security services and the army launched a “special operation” overnight targeting the Morozovsk airfield in the Rostov-on-Don region of Russia. While details of the attack could not be independently verified, it is reported that six Russian warplanes were destroyed and eight others damaged. Additionally, 20 staff members at the airfield were killed or injured.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the operation was deemed “important” as it targeted a military base known to be used by Russian tactical bombers to launch attacks on Ukraine’s army and cities on the front line. It is believed that this attack was carried out using drones. While Russia has not confirmed the attack, they did admit to intercepting over 40 Ukrainian drones in the region and acknowledged damage to electrical infrastructure.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has significantly escalated its drone attacks on targets in Russia, facing challenges on the ground and constant bombardments. In a notable incident, a Ukrainian drone targeted Russia’s third largest oil refinery and a manufacturing plant producing drones in Tatarstan over 1,100 km away from Ukraine. The drone used in this attack was an ULM, Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat modified for remote piloting by Ukrainian engineers. Despite its limited speed of 155 km/h and wingspan of 9.55 m, this drone managed to fly over Russia for more than seven hours undetected.
The use of unconventional methods like drones reflects Ukraine’s innovative tactics in their ongoing conflict with Russia.
