Ukraine’s armed forces say they have struck some of Russia’s most advanced combat aircraft 1,060 miles inside Russian territory, in one of the deepest drone attacks of the war.
Drones hit Su-57 stealth fighters and Su-34 bombers at Shagol airbase in the Chelyabinsk region, said Kyiv military sources. The strikes occurred on 25 April although Ukraine is still assessing the damage. Each Su-57 is worth around £30 million, and the Su-34 about £27 million. The strike against Vladimir Putin’s most modern warplanes – far beyond the Ural Mountains – is a first for Ukraine, if confirmed.
Regional governor Alexey Teksler described the incident that day only as an “attempted UAV attack” that was “thwarted,” insisting there were no casualties or damage.
Meanwhile, Moscow has not commented on the losses yet.
Local posts on social media reported drones flying over residential neighbourhoods at dawn, followed by explosions near the Chelyabinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Navigators — an important training centre for Russia’s long‑range aviation and drone operators.
According to those accounts, some damage was caused.
One report read: “It’s really frightening.”
Residents reported feeling windows shake, hearing car alarms go off, and seeing smoke rise from the area around the airfield.
According to those accounts, hangars and training buildings were damaged, and local hospitals shifted into emergency mode in response.
