On April 19, the Ukrainian Air Force carried out a powerful and accurate strike on a major Russian drone operations facility located near the village of Tyotkino in Russia’s Kursk region. This facility was known to be a center for preparing and launching drones used against Ukraine.

Ukrainian Forces Hit Key Russian Drone Facility

According to information from Ukraine’s General Staff, this facility was responsible for equipping and launching various types of drones — including reconnaissance drones, attack drones, and First Person View (FPV) drones. These drones had been used regularly to attack Ukrainian positions and observe movements inside Ukrainian territory.

The Ukrainian Air Force conducted the strike with the goal of weakening Russia’s drone warfare capabilities. The facility was considered a vital part of Russia’s military operations and played a central role in drone-related activities. Up to 20 Russian drone operators were reported to have been eliminated in this strike, significantly disrupting drone operations along the border.

The Ukrainian military described the site as a launch hub for unmanned aerial attacks. By targeting this facility, Ukraine aimed to limit the threat posed by Russian drones, which have been frequently used in surveillance and strikes.

The destruction of this facility is considered a major development in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to defend its territory and reduce attacks launched from across the border.

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Rare and Expensive Russian Drone Shot Down

Just one day after the airstrike, on April 20, Ukraine’s defense forces successfully brought down a rare and expensive Russian drone. The drone, known as the “Forpost,” is a version of an Israeli design and is valued at around $7 million. It is capable of carrying guided bombs and performing both surveillance and strike missions.

The Forpost drone was flying at an altitude of 4 kilometers when it was targeted by a Ukrainian FPV drone. This FPV drone was operated by one of Ukraine’s specialized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) brigades. The Ukrainian drone struck the Forpost, damaging its control surfaces and rendering it uncontrollable.

After being hit, the Russian drone glided back across the border into Russia’s Kursk region, where it likely crashed. The ability of an FPV drone to disable such a high-value target demonstrated how Ukraine’s drone units are using small but precise weapons to take down expensive enemy equipment.

This successful interception added to the series of actions by Ukrainian forces to challenge Russia’s use of drones in the ongoing conflict. It showed how smaller, cheaper drones can still deliver serious results when used effectively.

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Previous Drone Strike on Russian Airbase

In a related event, another drone strike occurred on the night of March 31. This time, the target was the Shaikovka airbase in Russia. The airbase is home to long-range bombers, specifically Tu-22M3 aircraft, which have been used in missile strikes on Ukraine.

Ukrainian sources later shared satellite images showing the aftermath of the strike. The images confirmed that a technical building and storage facilities at the base were destroyed. These structures were used to service and fuel missiles, including the Kh-22 and Kh-32 — both of which are large and dangerous weapons used by Russia in the conflict.

The destruction of these missile-related facilities was a major blow to the operational capabilities of the Shaikovka airbase. It disrupted Russia’s ability to maintain and prepare long-range bombers for future missions. These types of airbases are key parts of military infrastructure and are usually well-protected, making successful strikes on them especially significant.

This drone attack showed that Ukrainian forces are capable of reaching important Russian military locations with precision and effectiveness. The Shaikovka strike, combined with the strike on the Kursk drone hub and the downing of the Forpost drone, shows a growing pattern of Ukrainian actions targeting key Russian military assets across the border.

These recent developments reveal how the Ukrainian military is focusing on stopping drone and missile threats by hitting critical parts of Russia’s military system. With each successful strike, Ukraine is attempting to weaken the tools being used against its cities and frontline positions. These actions are part of a broader effort to push back against attacks and protect Ukrainian territory through accurate and calculated military operations.