Ukraine Strikes Deep: Russian Strategic Airfields Ablaze in Drone Barrage
A chilling dawn greeted Russian military personnel stationed at the strategic bomber base 'Olenya' and other key aviation hubs across Russia. What began as another ordinary morning quickly turned into chaos as a series of explosive events shattered the relative peace. Vivid video footage and numerous textual reports emerging from Russia confirm widespread drone attacks, with explosions rocking not only 'Olenya' in the Murmansk region but also other long-range aviation airfields, including one near Irkutsk.
The striking visuals, some of which appear to be captured directly from the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) themselves, showcase the intensity of the strikes. These attacks mark a significant escalation, targeting facilities that have previously been identified as launch points for bombers conducting missile strikes against Ukrainian cities. The 'Olenya' airbase, situated approximately 1700 kilometers from Ukraine's borders, has been a recurring subject in news reports concerning Russia's aerial offensive capabilities.
Operation 'Web' Unravels Russian Air Power
According to reports from 'Novosti.LIVE,' citing internal sources, this sophisticated drone offensive is attributed to a special operation orchestrated by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The operation, codenamed 'Web,' is alleged to have successfully disabled over 40 aircraft. Among the reported casualties are crucial intelligence-gathering A-50 aircraft, as well as long-range missile carriers such as the Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 bombers. This suggests a meticulously planned strike aimed at crippling Russia's strategic aviation assets.
One video purportedly depicts the 'Belaya' airfield engulfed in flames, with commentary reportedly from the head of the SBU, Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, acknowledging the 'popping' sounds of explosions.
The impact extends beyond 'Olenya.' The 'Belaya' airfield, located in the Irkutsk region – over 4000 kilometers from Ukraine – is also reported to be ablaze. Local Russian media outlets have further indicated damage to the 'Dyagilevo' airfield in the Ryazan region. Additionally, there are reports of explosions near the 'Ivanovo-Severnoye' strategic airfield in the Ivanovo region, underscoring the widespread nature of these coordinated strikes.
A New Era of Asymmetric Warfare
Military analyst Igal Levin described the operation as reaching “super-cloudy heights,” noting the unprecedented reach of Ukrainian drone capabilities. He emphasized the strategic significance of these strikes, stating, “Let's record this: fundamentally irreparable, expensive, crystal-like strategic aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces was knocked out today with FPV drones on the other side of the planet, which flew out in swarms from KamAZ trucks on the ground.” This highlights a paradigm shift in warfare, where advanced drone technology deployed from unexpected locations can neutralize high-value strategic assets deep within enemy territory.
The implications of these strikes are considerable, especially given the challenges Russia faces in replenishing its fleet of strategic bombers. Experts widely believe that Russia's capacity to manufacture these sophisticated aircraft in significant numbers is limited, with some existing planes reportedly being 'cannibalized' for parts to maintain others. The loss of even a few such aircraft represents a substantial military achievement for Ukraine, striking a significant blow against Russia's long-range strike capabilities and its ability to project power.
Comments (0)
There are no comments for now