Ukraine has launched a series of drone strikes on Russian military installations, targeting a key airfield in Voronezh Oblast as part of an escalating aerial campaign against Moscow’s forces. The strike, reported by Ukraine’s General Staff on July 5, caused significant damage to the Borisoglebsk airfield, which hosts a range of advanced fighters including the Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM jets. These aircraft are frequently used in Russian air strikes against Ukraine, prompting the Ukrainian military to highlight their strategic significance in the attack.
According to reports, the strike resulted in a fire and explosions at the airfield, with residents in the Voronezh Oblast area hearing multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. The NASA Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) detected a fire near the site shortly after the strike. Ukrainian officials have not provided further details on the extent of the damage or whether any aircraft were destroyed, though they indicated that assessments are ongoing. The attack is part of a broader overnight drone campaign across several regions of Russia, with explosions and fires reported in at least six areas.
Russia responded by intercepting over 40 drones within a three-hour timeframe, the majority of which were reported over Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk oblasts, which are close to the Ukrainian border. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the intercepted drones were primarily targeting military infrastructure. In addition, local authorities in Leningrad Oblast reported that two drones were shot down south of St. Petersburg, leading to a temporary halt in flights at Pulkovo airport. No casualties or damage were reported from this incident.
Other regions also experienced drone activity, with the Smolensk Oblast governor stating that anti-aircraft units downed three drones without any reported casualties. Voronezh Oblast authorities confirmed the destruction of several drones. Meanwhile, in the Chuvash Republic, residents reported explosions in the capital city of Cheboksary, with video footage showing a fire at a local industrial site. Telegram channels suggested the site may have been a military airfield.
The attacks come as part of a broader escalation of aerial warfare, with Ukraine intensifying its long-range drone operations to target Russian military assets. Ukrainian officials have stated that these strikes aim to reduce Russia’s capability to conduct air strikes against Ukrainian territories and to undermine the logistical and strategic support systems enabling the Kremlin’s war effort. The operation highlights the shifting dynamics of the conflict, with Kyiv seeking to disrupt Russian military operations while responding to increasing threats from Moscow’s aerial campaigns.