In a bold and unprecedented move, Ukrainian officials have claimed to have used drones to successfully destroy military aircraft at an airfield in Russia’s Rostov region. This attack marks one of Kyiv’s biggest air assaults in the ongoing war and comes as both sides escalate attacks on each other’s soil.
According to Ukrainian officials, at least 6 Russian planes were destroyed in the attack on the military airfield, which is used by Russian bombers to launch guided aerial bombs at Ukraine’s cities and frontline positions. The use of drones in warfare has become a key feature of this conflict, with both sides opting for low-cost drones to target expensive military hardware.
However, Russian defense officials have disputed these claims, stating that they intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones and only a power substation was damaged during the attack. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that 44 drones were intercepted and destroyed, resulting in damage to a power substation and injuring eight people. Russian military bloggers have confirmed the attempted attack by Ukrainian drones but have stated that there were no casualties or further damage at the airfield.
NBC News was unable to independently verify the claims made by either side, adding a layer of complexity to the situation. Last week, Russia launched a mass barrage of drones and missiles against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, further escalating tensions between the two nations.
In response to the increased use of drones in warfare, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting focused on the production of attack drones and electronic warfare equipment to intercept incoming drones. Despite being outgunned and outnumbered by the Russian army, Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has managed to stabilize its positions on the frontlines.
As the conflict continues to evolve with the use of advanced technology, the world watches closely to see how this new chapter in warfare will impact the ongoing crisis in Eastern Europe.
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