Ukrainian forces struck a number of Russian airfields and navy services in a single day on June 6, hours earlier than Russia launched considered one of its heaviest aerial assaults of the struggle, the Basic Workers of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported.
Ukrainian strikes reportedly focused Engels and Dyagilevo airfields — two key hubs for Russia's long-range bomber fleet, in addition to logistics websites in Russia's Kursk Oblast.
Hours after the strikes, Russia attacked Ukraine with 452 drones and 45 missiles, killing no less than 5 folks and injuring 73 in one of many largest assaults of the full-scale struggle.
Engels-2 air base, positioned in Saratov Oblast, almost 600 kilometers (370 miles) from Ukraine's entrance traces, hosts Russia's Tu-95, Tu-22M3, and Tu-160 bombers — plane commonly utilized in missile assaults on Ukrainian cities.
Ukraine's Basic Workers mentioned a strike ignited giant fires on the facility, hitting no less than three gas tanks. Footage and native stories confirmed a major blaze and quite a few explosions within the space.
Saratov Governor Roman Busargin acknowledged a fireplace at an unspecified "industrial enterprise" and harm from drones to a residential constructing. No casualties had been reported.
The Dyagilevo airfield in Ryazan Oblast, residence to air refueling tankers and bomber escort fighters, was additionally focused. The Basic Workers reported fireplace harm within the space, with Russian air protection exercise and explosions recorded. Outcomes of the strike are nonetheless being assessed.
Ukraine additionally claims to have struck a logistics heart tied to the thirtieth Motorized Rifle Regiment of Russia's 72nd Division close to Kulbaki in Kursk Oblast.
Russia's Protection Ministry claimed that 174 Ukrainian drones had been intercepted in a single day throughout 12 areas of Russia and occupied Crimea.
"Strikes on navy infrastructure will proceed till the Russian Federation's armed aggression towards Ukraine is totally stopped," Ukraine's Basic Workers mentioned.
The most recent wave of Ukrainian strikes underscores Kyiv's evolving long-range strike functionality, in addition to its efforts to preemptively degrade Russian property utilized in air assaults.
The Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU) on June 1 launched Operation Spiderweb, a daring mass drone assault that broken 41 Russian heavy bombers at 4 key airfields all through the nation.
The operation reportedly targetedA-50, Tu-95, and Tu-22 M3 planes parked on the Belaya, Diaghilev, Olenya, and Ivanovo air bases, inflicting roughly $7 billion in harm.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy