Ukraine says missile strike destroys 6 Russian warplanes at Voronezh airfield

The Ukrainian Navy announced on Thursday that it had destroyed six Russian Su-34M fighter-bombers in a nighttime missile strike on the Borisoglebsk military airfield in the Voronezh region of southwestern Russia.

The Navy said the attack was carried out using its Neptune coastal missile system. It also reported damage to equipment necessary for flight operations, a fire and secondary explosions.

Ukrainian surveillance channels published satellite images purportedly showing damage to an aircraft parking area. The reported destruction of the six warplanes could not be independently verified.

Russian authorities have not recognized the attack on the airfield.

Voronezh region governor Alexander Gusev said air defenses intercepted 33 drones and “several jet-propelled aerial targets.” Falling debris damaged the outbuildings of several private houses and a car in the regional capital, Voronezh, he said.

Residents of Borisoglebsk reported explosions and a large fire, with smoke visible from several areas of the city.

The military airfield is approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) east of Borisoglebsk.

Russia uses Su-34 fighter-bombers to drop guided glide bombs on Ukrainian positions and populated areas. The Su-34M is an improved version of the aircraft.

In September, the Ukrainian military announced that it had destroyed a Russian MiG-29 fighter jet near the Millerovo airfield in the Rostov region, as well as a Ka-27 helicopter near the Yeysk airfield in the Krasnodar region.

Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces previously reported hitting four aircraft at Shagol airfield in the Chelyabinsk region: two Su-57 fighters, one Su-34 and another Sukhoi aircraft of an unidentified model. These targets were approximately 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) from the Ukrainian border.