Ukrainian drones wreak havoc at Russian 'Savasleyka' airbase

Ukrainian "Luty" drones executed a successful strike on the Russian airbase "Savasleyka," where MiG-31K aircraft, carrying Kh-47 "Kinzhal" missiles, are stationed. According to Defence Express, the attack destroyed stocks of specific T-6 fuel and damaged at least one combat aircraft.

The evidence of the attack is a video from the airfield published by Russian soldiers. Among other things, one can see an Il-76 transport plane and a MiG-31—at this moment, it is unclear whether it was a MiG-31B, which is an interceptor, or a MiG-31K, which is a carrier of "Kinzhal" missiles. The video also shows that the machines were in open areas, without any cover, suggesting that the attack surprised the Russians.

There is no so-called "boneyard" for damaged vehicles at the airfield, so these are operational machines. The planes did not have time to take off or leave the base, making them easy targets.

The "Savasleyka" base does not have shelters for aircraft, and the machines are spread across three open areas. For this reason, as Defence Express emphasises, the risk of destroying many aircraft in a single attack is high. Detailed information about the strike's impact may only appear after analysing satellite images and materials from the site. This was also the case after an earlier attack on the "Morozovsk" base.

The Ukrainians are trying to make life difficult for the Russians by causing as much equipment loss as possible. On the night of 13-14 August, they attacked three airfields. Destroying Kinzhal missiles and the MiG planes that carry them helps the Ukrainian army avoid one of the enemy's more significant threats.

Hypersonic Kinzhal missiles are modern weapons designed to attack high-value targets precisely. They are characterised by their enormous speed, making them difficult to intercept by missile defence systems.

Kinzhals can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads, increasing their combat effectiveness. They have a range of up to 1,900 kilometres, allowing them to attack targets far beyond the frontline. An example of their use was a massive attack on Ukrainian critical infrastructure, demonstrating their destructive potential.