19 Russian aircraft destroyed by drones, Ukraine says

Russia has reportedly lost 19 aircraft, following a drone attack conducted by Ukrainian forces on Friday, according to Ukrainska Pravda and the RBC-Ukraine news agency.

People inspect an energy infrastructure which was damaged by Russian shelling in March 2024, at an undisclosed location in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine, 05 April 2024, amid the Russian invasion. Russian forces launched missile strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities on 29 March around the country.

Photo: EPA/IGOR TKACHENKO

On Friday, several dozen Ukrainian drones targeted Russian military airports in five regions: Belgorod, Kursk, Rostov, Saratov, and Krasnodar Krai.

Sources within the Ukrainian military intelligence, as cited by the Ukrainska Pravda portal, indicated damage to Russian Tu-95 bombers and Su-25 ground attack aircraft.

The bombers were reportedly damaged at Engels Airport in Saratov Oblast, while the fighters were targeted at Yeysk Airport in Krasnodar Krai.

In recent weeks, Ukraine’s forces, as well as groups of anti-Putin insurgents, have intensified attacks on Russian refineries, fuel depots, military airports and Black Sea Fleet ships.

(ał)

Source: IAR