A strong and carefully planned drone strike by Ukraine caused serious damage at a Russian military air base in Crimea.
Bold Attack on Crimea Air Base
The attack happened during the night of June 28. It was carried out by drones controlled by Ukraine’s security forces. According to reports, the drones struck the Kirovske military airfield, which is in the Crimean region currently under Russian control.
During this surprise drone attack, three important Russian helicopters were destroyed. These helicopters included the Mi-8, Mi-26, and Mi-28 attack helicopters. These helicopters are known for their roles in transport and combat missions. Along with the helicopters, a Russian Pantsyr-S1 system was also destroyed. The Pantsyr-S1 is a mobile air defense system that Russia uses to shoot down incoming missiles and aircraft.
The goal of this Ukrainian drone strike was to target Russian aviation units, air defense systems, and storage facilities. Ukraine aimed at areas where Russia stores ammunition, reconnaissance drones, and attack drones. The strike appeared to hit these targets accurately.
Loud secondary explosions were heard at the base after the initial drone strikes. Secondary explosions often happen when ammunition and fuel catch fire after an attack. These explosions can cause additional damage to nearby equipment and buildings.
More Drone Strikes Inside Russian Territory
Ukraine’s drone operations are not limited to Crimea. On June 27, just a day before the Crimea attack, Ukrainian drones also struck an airfield deep inside Russian territory. This airfield was located in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, at the Marinovka base. The target this time was four Su-34 fighter jets, which Russia uses to bomb different areas in Ukraine.
Preliminary reports suggest that the Ukrainian drones managed to destroy two of these Su-34 fighter jets. The other two jets were damaged in the attack. This airfield in Russia is an important location for the Russian Air Force.
The drone attacks show that Ukraine has increased its efforts to strike back at Russia, especially as Russia continues its aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. These drone operations are now reaching far into areas that were once considered safe by Russian forces.
Ukraine seems to be using these drone strikes to weaken Russian military power, especially their air forces. By targeting helicopters, fighter jets, and air defense systems, Ukraine is attempting to limit Russia’s ability to carry out future air attacks.
Heavy Russian Aircraft Losses Reported
Ukraine’s military officials have been keeping track of Russian aircraft losses since the start of the full-scale war in February 2022. According to the latest reports shared on June 28, Russia has now lost a total of 420 airplanes and 337 helicopters. These numbers show that Russia’s air power has been seriously affected during this ongoing conflict.
Although these numbers were released by Ukraine, independent sources have not yet confirmed them. But what is clear is that drone strikes like the one on June 28 continue to cause significant damage to Russian military equipment.
The recent attack in Crimea is just one of several strikes that show how Ukraine is using modern drone technology to fight back. Drones can fly long distances without risking the lives of pilots, making them a powerful tool in this war.
The Kirovske airfield, where the Ukrainian drones struck, is an important military site for Russia in Crimea. The destruction of helicopters and air defense systems at this location may force Russia to increase security around its air bases in the region.
Marinovka Airfield Under Attack
Also, the use of drones to hit Russian fighter jets at Marinovka airfield in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast shows that Ukraine’s drone operations are not limited to border areas. Ukraine’s drones are now striking deeper into Russian territory.
Reports of secondary explosions at the Kirovske airfield suggest that the attack may have also hit ammunition storage areas. Explosions of stored ammunition can make a drone strike even more destructive, as the fire spreads quickly and damages more equipment.
These drone strikes are part of Ukraine’s larger effort to defend its territory and push back against Russia’s air attacks. Ukraine is focusing on key Russian military assets such as helicopters, fighter jets, and defense systems to weaken Russia’s ability to continue the war.
The pattern of Ukraine’s drone operations shows that the country is now carrying out more bold and far-reaching missions. The destruction of valuable military equipment like the Mi-8, Mi-26, Mi-28 helicopters, the Pantsyr-S1 defense system, and Su-34 fighter jets shows how much damage these drones can cause in a short amount of time.
While full confirmation of these attacks is still awaited from independent sources, Ukraine’s drone campaign seems to be gaining momentum. These recent strikes in Crimea and Volgograd Oblast are examples of how Ukraine is using modern tactics to challenge Russia’s military positions.
The Security Service of Ukraine continues to report on these successful missions, and more details are expected as investigations into the attacks continue. For now, the damage to Russian air bases is a clear sign of the increasing power and reach of Ukraine’s drone operations.
