Six Russian planes are destroyed in Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian airfields
- 5 April, 15:33
Ukrainian drone attacks in Russia have destroyed six Russian planes and killed 20 airfield personnel, Ukrainian officials claimed on Friday.
According to officials who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press (AP) as they were not authorized to discuss the operation publicly, the attack reportedly resulted in the destruction of at least six military aircraft and significant damage to eight others. However, Russian defense officials countered these claims, stating that they intercepted over 40 Ukrainian drones during the incident and that only a power substation was damaged. This discrepancy highlights the conflicting narratives surrounding the events and underscores the challenge of discerning accurate information amid geopolitical tensions.
Ukraine has recently stepped up its drone attacks on targets located within Russia, specifically targeting military and energy facilities. Despite repeatedly cautioning about severe ammunition shortages within its army, Ukraine has set an ambitious goal of domestically producing one million drones this year.
On Tuesday, Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone attack in Tatarstan, which is over 1,300km away from the Ukraine-Russia border.
These strikes, aimed at a drone factory and an oil refinery, mark the furthest incursion into Russian territory since the onset of the conflict. Reports indicated that twelve people were injured as a result of the attacks.
