Ukraine claims major drone strike on Russian airfield, killing servicemen and destroying aircraft

Ukraine has launched drone attacks on Russia’s Rostov region, killing Russian servicemen and destroying fighter jets, according to a Ukrainian source with knowledge of the operation.

Ukraine launched a major drone attack on an airbase in Russia’s Rostov region, killing Russian servicemen and destroying fighter jets, according to a Ukrainian source with knowledge of the operation. The Security Service of Ukraine and Ukrainian military were behind the strikes on the Morozovsk airfield in the Rostov region, which destroyed at least six Russian fighter jets, the source told CNN Friday, adding that “the operation is important to decrease Russian military potential.” According to the source, the airfield was targeted because it was used as a base for aircraft “used to launch guided air bombs on Ukrainian positions and border settlements.” Approximately 20 Russian personnel were impacted – either killed or wounded, the source added. CNN cannot independently verify the claims. If true, the strikes will be the most damaging carried out at an airfield inside Russia since the start of the conflict in February 2022. Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev confirmed on Telegram an attack of over 40 drones in the Morozovsky district of the region, resulting in “minor damage” to an electrical substation damage but maintained that no-one was injured. Several regions in Russia have been targeted by UAV attacks overnight, with the Ministry of Defense claiming Friday the interception and destruction of at least 53 Ukrainian drones across various territories.