All articles tagged with #air base
Ukraine claimed to have struck a Russian air base in Voronezh, while Russia intensified its drone attacks on Ukraine, including a large assault on Kyiv, amid ongoing tensions and efforts to bolster Ukraine's defenses with international support. The conflict continues to escalate with significant military exchanges and diplomatic discussions.
Ukrainian drones, operated by the GUR military intelligence agency, reportedly attacked the Engels air base deep inside Russian territory. The base, home to Russia's long-range strategic bomber fleet, is located near the city of Saratov. While the governor of the Saratov region confirmed the downing of Ukrainian drones, the extent of the damage is being assessed. This incident follows Russia's ongoing missile and drone attacks on targets in Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Albania, a NATO member without its own fighter jets, has reopened the Soviet-era Kucova Air Base with NATO support to enhance regional security in the face of increased Russian threats. The air base, which has been rebuilt with over 50 million euros of NATO investment, marks a significant step in bolstering NATO's presence in the Western Balkans region, with the aim of countering potential Russian aggression.
Russia is reportedly painting decoy silhouettes of its valuable Tu-95 strategic bombers on the tarmac of its main bomber base, Engels-2, in an attempt to confuse possible Ukrainian strikes. Satellite imagery shows two-dimensional painted decoys, which may be made with cloth or canvas. The decoys also feature car tires to make them appear more realistic. However, experts note that the decoys are easily spotted as fake, even in commercially available satellite imagery. Decoys can be effective in military operations, but it remains unclear how effective these two-dimensional decoys will be.
A video has surfaced showing a Russian Lancet drone hitting a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter at an air base, indicating that the drones now have an extended range of up to 50 miles. The small and inexpensive drones, produced by a subsidiary of Russia's Kalashnikov arms manufacturer, have become increasingly utilized by Russia in the ongoing conflict. The development poses a new challenge for the Ukrainian air force, as the main air bases were previously out of reach for these small attack drones. The drones are difficult to intercept due to their slow speed and low flying altitude, making them effective against light-armored vehicles, artillery systems, and older tanks.
Russia launched a barrage of cruise missiles and exploding drones at a key Ukrainian air base, aiming to ground the planes that carry Ukraine's Storm Shadow missiles. Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down 36 cruise missiles and destroyed several suicide drones, but some damage was inflicted by air-launched Kinzhal missiles. The extent of the damage is crucial as the base houses the only regiment that flies the Su-24 aircraft capable of carrying the UK-supplied Storm Shadow missile, which has been touted as a game-changer for Ukraine's counteroffensive.