Ukrainian forces carried out a targeted drone strike on the Borisoglebsk airfield in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast overnight on July 5, inflicting damage on key military assets including a warehouse containing guided bombs, aircraft, and other equipment, Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed Saturday.

The airfield, a significant base for Russian Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM fighter jets frequently used in strikes against Ukraine, may have also lost at least one training and combat aircraft. Ukrainian military officials said assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage.

Satellite data from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) detected fire activity near the airfield shortly after the strike, corroborating local reports of 8 to 10 powerful explosions around 2:00 a.m., according to Russian independent outlet Astra.

The attack formed part of a broader Ukrainian drone campaign that struck multiple regions across western Russia. Explosions and fires were reported in at least six oblasts: Belgorod, Bryansk, Kursk, Leningrad, Smolensk, and Saratov. The strikes are part of Kyiv’s ongoing effort to undermine Russia’s strike capabilities and extend the battlefield impact deeper into Russian territory.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that its air defenses intercepted 42 drones over a three-hour window, particularly in the border regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk. In Leningrad Oblast, Governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed that two drones were shot down south of St. Petersburg, temporarily grounding flights at Pulkovo Airport. No casualties or damage were reported in the area.

Elsewhere, explosions were reported in Cheboksary, the capital of the Chuvash Republic, where social media footage showed a fire at an industrial site. In Engels, Saratov Oblast—home to a major Russian airbase—explosions were reported by unverified Telegram sources, fueling speculation of another military target being hit.

The Ukrainian drone offensive follows an escalation in Russian aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. Kyiv has signaled its intent to intensify long-range strikes aimed at degrading Russian military infrastructure and demonstrating that the Kremlin’s war of aggression carries consequences at home.

Ukrainian officials framed the operation as a strategic response designed to disrupt Russia’s ability to launch attacks and to target facilities that directly support ongoing hostilities. (ILKHA)