Satellite images have confirmed the results of strikes on military warehouses and an ammunition depot in Russia’s Kursk Oblast shortly before the ongoing Ukrainian incursion into the region that started on 6 August. The missile attacks, which took place overnight on 31 July 2024, targeted Russian warehouses of aviation and artillery units, Militarnyi says.
The satellite photos, published by RFE/RL, show significant damage to at least one building of the storage facilities for aviation weapons and equipment near the Khalino military airfield (military unit #75079) 104 km from Ukraine.
Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk did not confirm or deny the use of anti-ship Neptune cruise missiles in the attack, although the involvement of Ukrainian Navy units suggests the possible employment of these modified missiles, according to Militarnyi.
Additionally, a fire broke out at the base of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Defense Ministry (military unit #42699) next to the aviation warehouses. While the satellite images do not provide detailed views of the impact site, traces of powerful explosions or fires are visible around the buildings.
Kursk update: Ukraine forces may be in control of 430 km²
The Russian Telegram channel Agenstvo Novosti, citing milblogger Rybar Z, released an updated map showing possible Ukrainian territorial gains in Kursk Oblast, indicating that the battle zone now spans 430 square… pic.twitter.com/o9Ohf013qO
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 8, 2024
Recent attacks on air field and artillery warehouses
On 7 August, a Ukrainian drone strike destroyed a Russian artillery ammunition depot near Sergeevka in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast about 140 km away from the front. The wreckage of a surface-to-air missile container at the site suggests that the facility might also have anti-air ammunition.
https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1821636614545621015/
On 3 August, Ukrainian drones targeted the Morozovsk air base, causing significant destruction including massive fires and secondary detonations, confirmed by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The attack destroyed a substantial amount of Russian aviation ordnance, including guided bombs and air-to-air missiles, and at least one Sukhoy Su-34 fighter bomber as evidenced by leaked photos of the aftermath.
Related:
- Kursk incursion: why is Ukraine taking the war to Russian soil?
- Ukrainian forces reportedly establish foothold in border villages of Russia’s Kursk Oblast
- Russia’s guided bombs and air-to-air missiles eliminated at Morozovsk air base, photos show
- Kursk governor claims missile interceptions after nighttime blast
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- Romania partners with Ukraine to enhance Neptune missiles that destroyed Russian flagship Moskva
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