Kyiv Confirms Ukrainian Drones Destroyed 6 Russian Planes at Air Base, as Many as 3 Sites Blasted (original) (raw)

Kyiv Post sources within Ukraine's Special Services have confirmed that the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in collaboration with the military and the Defense Forces, orchestrated the nighttime assault on the Morozovsk airfield, resulting in the destruction of at least six aircraft.

The airfield housed Su-24, Su-24M, and Su-34 frontline bombers, which Russia employs to target Ukrainian army positions and frontline cities.

According to the Kyiv Post source, "At least six Russian military aircraft were destroyed, and another eight were heavily damaged. In addition to the equipment, about 20 Russian servicemen were either killed or wounded."

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"This operation is of paramount importance and will significantly diminish the combat capabilities of the Russian forces," the source added.

Ukraine fired dozens of drones at Russia's southern Rostov region, home to its army headquarters for the military offensive, in the early hours of Friday, Russian officials said.

Russia's defense ministry said it downed 53 Ukrainian drones overnight – 44 over the Rostov region – while the governor said a power station was damaged in the attack.

Rostov-on-Don, the capital of the region that sits just across the border from Ukraine, is the command headquarters for Russia's military campaign and home to a swathe of Russian military sites.

"During the night and on the morning of April 5, the Kyiv regime tried to commit several terrorist attacks with aerial drones which were foiled," the defense ministry said.

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These measures were "aimed at [ensuring] security in the areas adjacent to the threatened zones," said Poland’s Operational Command.

Apart from the Rostov region, other areas targeted by Ukrainian drones included the Belgorod and Kursk border regions, as well as Saratov and Krasnodar.

In Saratov, drones reportedly targeted Engels, a city housing a significant Russian air base.

Morozovsk

Morozovsk, situated approximately 300 kilometers from Ukraine, was the first to come under attack during the night. The initial explosions occurred around midnight, sparking reports of shelling and strikes on the airfield circulating through local communication channels.

While there is a military airfield near Morozovsk housing the Russian 559th Guards Bomber Regiment, local authorities did not confirm an attack on the airfield. However, some residents reported over 60 explosions in the city.

According to OSINT researcher MT Anderson, on April 4, the Morozovsk air base housed 26 Su-34 fighters and three Su-35 aircraft, which carried out guided bomb strikes on Ukrainian positions.

*Update*
🇷🇺MOROZOVSK AIR BASE🇷🇺
0.5m📷 from today, BEFORE (~11:51 UTC, 4 Apr 2024) the UAV attack on the airfield.

Plenty of targets, let's see what the BDA is tomorrow⬇️

26x Su-34 Fullback
3x Su-30 / 35

Image quality wasn't the best so happy for any corrections. pic.twitter.com/VXzauVBST1

— MT Anderson (@MT_Anderson) April 5, 2024

Rostov Region Governor Vasily Golubev reported around 1:30 a.m. that air defense systems were engaged in the Morozovsk district to counter a massive UAV attack.

Golubev later mentioned damage to a power substation, leading to electricity supply issues. He claimed that Russian air defense had repelled at least 40 drones.

Yeysk

Yeysk, located approximately 150 kilometers from Ukraine, experienced its first explosions around 3 a.m.

The area hosts a joint base of the Navy, Air Force, and the Federal Air Transport Agency of Russia (Rosaviation).

Additionally, the 859th Center for Combat Use and Retraining of Naval Aviation Flight Personnel of the Russian Navy and the 190th Mixed Aviation Training Regiment of the Navy are stationed there.

Following what locals described as "flashes in the sky," Yeysk district head Roman Bublyk asserted that an attempted terrorist attack on the region had been thwarted, with no reported damage.

However, local telegram channels reported more than 10 explosions over Yeysk, along with the sounds of automatic weapons fire near the local airfield and military camp.

The airfield in Yeysk is utilized by tactical aviation units of the 4th Army of the Russian Air Force for combat missions, including bombings in Mariupol.

Engels

In the city of Engels in the Saratov region, located about 700 kilometers from Ukraine, residents were stirred awake by explosions at around 5 a.m. The city houses a strategic bomber base.

Locals began reporting explosions and air defense operations in local Telegram channels.

Saratov region governor Roman Busargin stated that a UAV had allegedly been neutralized in Engels that morning, with no casualties or infrastructure damage reported from the falling debris.

Engels hosts a military air base where Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic long-range bombers are stationed. Since the onset of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Engels has been among the Russian airfields utilized for missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.

Kursk

Preliminary reports on social media also indicate that the Russian city of Kursk was hit by at least one drone.

The Russian city of Kursk is taking a beating tonight pic.twitter.com/M6rJceCSYC

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 4, 2024