This is behind the explosions at Russian airports Indonesia bans extramarital sex – up to a year in prison

What happened?

Two Ukrainian drones crashed into two Russian military airfields on Monday. This was confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense and a senior Ukrainian official. However, similar to the Crimean bridge attack, the Ukrainian government has not officially accepted responsibility.

The weapons used were “Soviet-era drones,” the Kremlin announced, according to the New York Times. Former US General Mick Ryan suspects this could mean modified Tu-141 reconnaissance drones from the 1970s. These fly at high speed and have the necessary range for such attacks. According to the Ukrainian official, special forces were on site to direct the drone precisely to the target.

Russia’s defense ministry said the drones were intercepted, but the falling debris and subsequent explosion damaged two aircraft, killed three and injured four others.

In addition, today an oil depot at a third airport and, according to the Russian media portal Baza, an industrial combine harvester were hit by a new drone strike. However, the latter has not yet been officially confirmed.

Where did the drones hit?

The first two attacks took place at Engels airfield and Diaghiva military base. The airfield includes Tu-160 and Tu-95 tactical bombers, which can carry nuclear warheads. Tuesday’s attack hit Kursk airfield and the Slava conglomerate near Bryansk.

It can be seen that Monday’s attacks are both very far from the Ukrainian border: Engels 600 km, the base in Ryazan about 500 km. As a reminder, Moscow is also just over 500 kilometers from Ukraine.

Why is that important?

With this attack, Ukraine is demonstrating its potential to hit targets deep within Russia, including Moscow. Although the Ukrainian secret service had already struck Russian territory with the attack on the Crimean bridge in September, it did so through sabotage on the spot. The fact that far-reaching funds are now also being used is new.

Until now, Russian forces under General Surovikin had the asymmetric advantage of being able to use such assets to attack civilian targets as well. The Ukrainian strokes now symbolize that the other side can do it too. Of course, this does not mean that such attacks are carried out.

How are the reactions?

Russia responded on Monday mainly with its own missiles and drone strikes in the usual manner. The Russian media describes the Ukrainian offensive as “terrorist attacks on long-range aircraft”.

The events are also discussed in the Russian milblog scene. Some advocate harsh consequences for Ukraine, while others sharply criticize their own ranks. For example, the popular channel “Военный Осведомитель”, in German “Militaire Inlichtingendienst” writes (no official connection):