Satellite images have been released showing the aftermath of a drone strike claimed by Ukraine’s military on a military airfield in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
The two photos, dated March 19 and April 28, are from California-based global imaging company Planet Labs and were posted by open-source intelligence analyst Brady Africk on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday. He said they show damage from an April 27 strike by Kyiv on Russia’s Kushchyovskaya airbase, which is located more than 125 miles from the front line in Ukraine.
There has been an increase in attacks on Russian territory in recent months, primarily aimed at warehouses, industrial facilities, and military sites. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was reportedly behind the assault on the military airfield in Russia’s Krasnodar region, as well as the attacks on two oil refineries, according to a source in the security and defense forces who spoke to the Ukrainian publication Kyiv Independent.
According to a source within the security and defense forces, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was responsible for the assault on the military airfield in Russia’s Krasnodar region, along with attacks on two oil refineries. The military airbase reportedly accommodates “numerous military aircraft, radars, and electronic warfare equipment,” as per the source. The source further stated, “The SBU remains successful in targeting military and infrastructure installations in enemy territory, diminishing Russia’s capacity for engaging in warfare.”
Following the assault on the airbase, there were reports of footage allegedly depicting destroyed Russian glide bomb kits. According to the April 28 Planet Labs image, the strike may have also caused damage to Russian aircraft.
Africk stated, “Geolocated footage displaying the destroyed Russian glide-bomb kits at this location, along with satellite imagery from today, reveals that Ukraine’s recent strike inflicted damage on multiple sectors within Russia’s Kushchyovskaya airbase.”
This is not an isolated incident; Following Ukraine’s claim of targeting a significant military airbase in annexed Crimea on April 17, resulting in damage to several of Russia’s prized S-400 Triumph air-defense systems, radar stations, and a control center, the recent attack has occurred.
The assault, conducted at a military airfield in Dzhankoy, is said to have caused casualties, with reports suggesting up to 30 Russian personnel were killed and 80 others injured. Ukraine’s military intelligence reported that the strike impacted four S-400 air defense systems, three radars, an air-defense command-and-control center, and additional surveillance equipment.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, in acknowledging the operation’s success, lauded the efforts of Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi for organizing what could be considered a bold offensive.
Relevant articles:
– Satellite Photos Show Impact of Ukraine Attack on Russian Airbase, Newsweek, 04/30/2024
– Satellite images show secret Russia air base near Ukrainian border, defence-blog.com, 04/29/2024
– Russia painted fake fighter jets at its airfields, new satellite images show, likely to trick Ukraine into not blowing up the real deal, Yahoo News UK, 04/27/2024
– Satellite photos show Russia building a new air base in Belgorod region — online.ua, News.online.ua, 04/29/2024