As of: April 6, 2024, 7:50 a.m
By: Jens Kiffmeier, Paula Völkner
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Ukraine is intensifying its attacks on Russia. The drone attacks primarily target airfields. But there is a lot of mystery surrounding the exact losses.
Update from April 6th, 7:43 a.m
.: The Ukrainian army claims to have caused significant damage to Russia's military infrastructure by intensifying its drone attacks. Security sources in Kiev reported the destruction or damage of 19 Russian fighter jets within days, according to the
dpa
news agency . Previously there was always talk of six destroyed aircraft. Russian civil authorities confirmed an increase in Ukrainian drone strikes in several regions where military airfields are located, but denied the loss of the aircraft. The Institute for War Studies (ISW) has not yet been able to confirm the claims from Kiev with satellite images.
Massive losses for Putin's air force: Ukraine attacks Russian airfield
Initial report
: Rostov – Ukraine has targeted the Russian air base at Morozovsk in the Rostov region of southern Russia. The operation appears to be a result of cooperation between Ukrainian security services and the military. The attack followed previous airstrikes by Ukraine on Russian industry.
This image from a video released by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry shows ground fighter jets of the Russian Air Force firing missiles during a mission over Ukraine (archive image) © Rusian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP/dpa
According to sources in the Ukrainian security services who spoke to the Ukrainian newspaper
Ukrainska Pravda
, at least six aircraft based at the airfield were destroyed. These Russian Air Force aircraft were used to drop glide bombs on Ukrainian military positions and settlements near the front. In addition, eight other aircraft were seriously damaged in the attack.
Ukrainian airstrike on Russian airfield: 20 Russian soldiers killed or injured
Against this background, the governor of Rostov, Vasily Golubev, had already reported a “massive drone attack”. According to Russian information, over 40 drones were shot down by their own air defense in Rostov. The city of Morozovsk, where the airfield is located, is also in Rostov.
Local Russian authorities confirmed the attack on the air base, which took place on the night of April 4-5, according to
Ukrainska Pravda
. An anonymous source said about 20 members of the Russian military were killed or injured in the attack. Independent confirmation of these reports is still pending.
Russia is targeting civilian infrastructure in the Ukraine war
Since the start of the Ukraine War, Russia has regularly carried out airstrikes on Ukrainian territory. The army under Vladimir Putin not only targets civilians, but also the country's infrastructure. In March 2024, Ukraine's energy system was bombarded by Russia with 151 rockets, cruise missiles and drones, causing a near-total blackout in the major city of Kharkiv.
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Ukraine shells targets in Russia: Drone attack on Russian oil refinery and drone factory
On April 2, Russia reported Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory. A drone factory in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, more than 1,300 kilometers behind the Russian border, was attacked. Ukrainian intelligence services later confirmed to media that the attack was carried out by Ukraine.
On the night of April 3, Russia's third largest oil refinery in the city of Nizhnekamsk was attacked. It is estimated that attacks on Russian oil refineries have crippled between 12 and 14% of Russia's refining capacity.
There had already been an attack on the Morozovsk airfield in December 2023.
Ukrainska Pravda
reported at the time, citing an anonymous source, that “enormous damage” had been caused. Since May 2023, Ukraine has been attacking targets on Russian territory with drones.
Editor Paula Völkner wrote this article. Editor Bedrettin Bölükbasi then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked.
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