According to the Russian Defence Ministry, a copter-style uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) was responsible for the attack on the Soltsky airbase.
“If true, this adds weight to the assessment that some UAV attacks against Russian military targets are being launched from inside Russian territory. Copter UAVs are unlikely to have the range to reach Soltsky-2 from outside Russia,” British intelligence wrote on its Twitter.
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1693272363914187079?s=20
Russia has often employed Tu-22M3 bombers to deploy the notoriously inaccurate AS-4 Kitchen heavy anti-ship missiles against Ukraine. In the early stages of the war, they also subjected Mariupol to intense bombardment using unguided bombs, UK intel said.
“This is at least the third successful attack on LRA airfields, again raising questions about Russia’s ability to protect strategic locations deep inside the country.” British intel concluded.
On the morning of 21 August, a kamikaze drone crashed onto the grounds of Shaykovka Airfield, situated in the Kirovsky District of Russia’s Kaluga Oblast. Initial reports suggest that the impact caused damage to an aircraft stationed at the airfield.
Read also:
- Frontline report: Ukraine increases its fighter jets fleet as Russian aviation losses mount
- ISW: Ukrainian strikes on Russian rear reduce morale of Russian troops
- Russia says Ukrainian drones hit military airfield in Novgorod Oblast
- SBU head unveils details of the ingenious first strike on Crimean Bridge